By Sue Kim For those of you who haven’t caught up yet and have been out of the loop, I advise you to beware. Beware of what you wonder? What else but the Hollywood Knights! Knights fever is back and to say the least, it is back in full effect. Can’t take my word for it? Just ask anyone in attendance at the opening game of the season at Canyon Springs High School on October 12. Saturday night the Knights dribbled, shot,and scored along with the Canyon Springs faculty. The first game of the ‘02-‘03 season started off a little rocky when the tour bus filled with Knights broke down on the way to Canyon Springs but all arrived safe and only a few minutes late. In the meantime Sammy Lopez got a head start by warming up while the rest of his teammates arrived. He seemed to keep gym full of on-lookers entertained. Slowly but surely the rest of the Knights made their way onto the court to warm up while graciously signing autographs and taking pictures with the eager and anticipating fans. The one and only Michael Mirisch did the honors of kicking off the ceremonies by introducing the Hollywood Knights line up plus the celebrity guests in attendance. Along with the familiar but impressive Knights jerseys, the Knights added a little flavor to their uniform with brand news shoes courtesy of Reebok. Everyone knows that you can’t play ball if you don’t have the right shoes! DJ Joey Nicks from Power 106 played “Work It” by Missy Elliot while the introductions were made but the song would have been better suited for the game because the Knights did just as the song suggests-“work it”- on the basketball court that is. Recording artist Krystal sang the National Anthem before the start of the game and the audience was more than impressed. As she sang and belted those all too familiar notes, there were numerous instances where everyone was taken aback and managed to cheer their amazement. Now moving on to the long-awaited game…Cylk Cozart, Jared Padalecki, Tommy McCarthy, Wesley Jonathan, and Bryan Datillo started off for the Knights in the first quarter. A member of the Canyon Springs faculty shot the first shot of the game within the first 15 seconds of the first quarter but that didn’t last long with the shot made by the Knights shortly afterwards. By the end of the first quarter, the Knights were up with a score of 9-12. The second quarter, the Knights shined as they usually do by leading for most of the quarter while Canyon Springs faculty did a very good job keeping up with them. But when half time came around it was the Knights that were up. Knights: 30, Canyon Springs faculty: 19. Saturday night’s game benefited the Business Academy of Canyon Springs High School, which is both a club and a class at the school according to Business Academy students Kaylee Ruston and Erica Alvarado. Appreciation and thanks were given to Business Academy advisor Ms. Hoover along with students Jessica Rubio and Charmaine Brodie that helped organize the majority of Saturday’s game. Following the thank you’s was a performance by the Canyons Springs dance team, which started the half time festivities. Krystal was up next performing two songs from her upcoming album entitled “Cry Never” and “We Gon’ Get There.” Just like the Hollywood Knights tradition, Krystal invited fans to join her and dance during her performance of “Cry Never.” The audience’s reaction to Krystal’s halftime performance was similar to the reaction from earlier in the night…amazement. Eleven-year-old Kyle Jimenez was in agreement. When asked what his highlight of his night was, his response was, “I liked it when Krystal was dancing and singing.” Then came the half time event that everyone in attendance had been waiting for…the celebrity autograph signing. The fans didn’t waste any time and got tothe tables before the celebrities did. They mobbed the tables in order to get the autographs and pictures oftheir favorite stars. The half time autograph session certainly pleased Canyon Springs junior Eli Menendez. When Menendez described what her favorite part of the night was, she said, “Getting the pictures and autographs of the celebrities.” Just one testimonial from the numerous elated fans. In the midst of all the madness of receiving and snapping pictures, Armond of Power 106 didhis thing and with a little freestyle for everyone. As half time came to an end, it was time to watch the faculty and celebrities alike play ball in the second half. With DJ Speed taking over the turntables at the second half, it was time to get back into the game. During the third quarter, the score was pretty consistent with each team scoring points consecutively. But at the end of this quarter, it was the Hollywood Knights leading: 33-38. It’s not a Hollywood Knights game until you have some comedic commentary along with the music and all the ball playing. It was Ron T. and Mark a.k.a.Skip from Power 106 that added entertaining commentary all throughout the game. They even brushed up on their dance skills with David Nicoll. Mark showed everyone a few steps of his own. The Canyon Springs team also got a few tips from Ron T. and Chrystee Pharris. Ron T. and Mark even tried to fulfill special requests including one Business Academy student’s message of “Jared you’re hot!” All throughout the game, raffle prizes were given away including passes to the after party with all the Knights. The fourth quarter was much like the third; each team kept up with the other but when the buzzer went off to end the fourth quarter, it was the Knights that were victorious with a score of 52-46. Fans flooded the court as soon as the buzzer went off to get more autographs and pictures. Jared Padalecki fan Sophia Licerio said after the game, “My favorite part of tonight was meeting Jared and watching them play ball. Tonight was the best!” The end of the game marks the end of the night…right? Definitely not! Off to the after party the “VIPs” went. Business Academy students, raffle ticket winners, Hollywood Knights staff, Canyon Spring sfaculty, and the celebrities gathered in the Business Academy classroom to chowdown on pizza and refreshments after a game well played. Celebrities made their way among the Business Academy students to sit, eat, and hang out. “It was a great time,” said Ashlee Simpson, “I got to try and shoot, even though I missed I had a blast. The guys (Knights) did really good.” Josh Henderson was in agreement, “I had a great time. Canyon Springs- thanks for having us!” Advisor Ms. Hoover voiced her appreciation at the after party thanking everyone for coming out and helping out the Business Academy. While Tommy McCarthy mentioned that it was nice to start out the season winning, he also mentioned how he hurt his knee during the game (not to worry ladies… I didn’t see any blood. I think he’ll be ok). But besides winning and having a good time, it was a chance for the Knights to see each other again and Krystal concurred, “It was great seeing everybody and all the familiar faces.” Like everything great, this night had tocome to an end. The Knights boarded the Power 106 tour bus as Canyon Springs saw them off. Do you feel like you missed out on a great night? Not to fear the next game is Wednesday, October 30 at Los Amigos High School in Fountain Valley. See you there!

By Jeanne Flores On Saturday, October 12, 2002, the 2002-2003 Hollywood Knights basketball season kicked off in Moreno Valley as the Knights played a rigorous game against the Canyon Springs High Cougar Faculty. Many students and fans filled the C.S.H.S. gym as they waited anxiously for their favorite celebrities to arrive. When asked “Who are you here to see tonight,” Jared Padalecki, Gilmore Gilrs, was a clear favorite amongst the crowd. Screams filled the room as the Hollywood Knights entered the venue. Wesley Jonathan (What I Like About You), Jared Padalecki (GilmoreGirls), Josh Henderson (Popstars 2), Sammy Lopez (Youngstown), Bryan Dattilo (Days of Our Lives), Anthony Montgomery (Enterprise), Kiko Ellsworth (Port Charles),Ashlee Simpson (7th Heaven), Cylk Cozart (Marvin Gaye Story), Tommy McCarthy (No Authority), David Nicoll (Roundhouse), Chrystee Pharris(Passions), Deanna Wright (Passions), and Krystal (KBHNA Records) were all in attendance. After Krystal’s awesome rendition of the national anthem both teams met at center court, wishing each other good luck. The Cougars won the tip off, taking an early lead in the game. However that didn’t stop the Knights as they immediately took the lead after Padalecki’s three point shot. Throughout the game, L.A. base radio station Power 106 hyped up the fans by giving away free memorabilia. The Knights also interacted with the fans by allowing them to participate in the game. Ellsworth brought one lucky girl to shoot his second free throw, while another lucky fan won passes to the after party if she made a basket from half court (Ellsworth made it for her). Simpson also had her share with helping out the team as she attempted to make a basket from the free throw line for Ellsworth. At the half, the Knights led the Cougars 30-19. Performances by the Canyon Springs dance team and Krystal entertained the crowd, and fans got several opportunities to interact with their favorite celebrity during the autograph session. The Knights led most of the game as the Cougars struggled to regain the lead. At the end, Hollywood Knights won with the score at 56-42. After the game, the Knights were treated to pizza and cupcakes in Business Academy classroom. They are the recipients of the game proceeds. Williene Hoover, advisor who helped set up the event, thanked the Knights for coming out and helping their school. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” said Hoover. You may be wondering where have their favorite stars havebeen during the off season. “Workin’! Passions works seven days a week!” replied Chrystee Pharris with a smile. Josh Henderson revealed, “Relaxing, acting, and writing music for my solo album.” For fun, the Knights were asked “Who do you predict will be the MVP (Most Valuable Player) at the end of this season?” “Cylk. He’s been our MVP for ten years running. My only job is to get him the ball.” replied Bryan Datillo confidently. “Definitely me, one hundred percent.” Jared Padalecki joked. Chrystee put it best when she described why the Hollywood Knights was an important organization, “We are able to travel and meet the fans, show them that we are just like them and tell them to stay focused on their goals.” “[Michael Mirisch] has his heart in the right spot becausehe believes in charities that do the right thing. He also makes sure that the money raised from the games go to the right places.” added Datillo. To add to the charity work the Knights have been doing, students in Canyon Springs High School will be viewing a special public announcement with the Knights encouraging them to stay in school.”

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