Local Sports Headlines Archives

Oklahoma Drill: CV head football coach Brett Davis leaves valley for school in home state

January 13, 2021 5:38 PM Blake Arthur

Brett Davis is from Oklahoma. If his accent (which hits you harder than a middle linebacker) didn’t give it away, then it’s his most recent decision to head home. Welcome Brett Davis from Coachella Valley High School (CA)!Coach Davis is our 10th head coach since 1947.#LetsRoll #ThrowItAround#TraditionOfWinning 🐾🚩 pic.twitter.com/HdRrHU70LR— Spiro Bulldog Football 🐾 (@Spiro_Bulldogs) January

PDHS staffer and youth soccer coach Paul Thompson mourned by players and friends

January 13, 2021 11:19 AM Tom Tucker

Youth soccer coach Paul Thompson coached players back in 2014 at the Hovely Soccer Park in Palm Desert. It’s a place where for years he coached, sometimes multiple teams in a single season. He impacted many lives including Mark Morocco. “Devastated, still crying, don’t know what to think,” said Morocco when talking about Thompson’s death.

Rams get better of division rivals, toppling Seahawks 30-20

January 10, 2021 3:14 PM Taylor Begley

SEATTLE (AP) — Quietly, Aaron Donald, Jared Goff and the rest of the Los Angeles Rams seethed. They watched less than two weeks ago as the Seattle Seahawks loudly celebrated a division title the Rams felt they gave away. Los Angeles desperately wanted another shot. Behind a lot of Cam Akers churning yards on the

Coachella Valley remembers legendary Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda

January 8, 2021 10:54 AM Taylor Begley

Tommy Lasorda was a baseball icon. The Dodgers Hall of Fame manager touched the lives of many, including those here in the Coachella Valley. Steve Garvey, a Palm Desert resident and Dodger legend in his own right, played for Lasorda, starting in the minor leagues for the Ogden Dodgers in 1968. “This must be Steve

2021 American Express commits more than $1M to local charities, cancels Pro-Am

January 7, 2021 10:43 AM Blake Arthur

Change is inevitable in our new world amid an ongoing pandemic, especially here in California. Below are some of the key points in regards to the 2021 American Express golf tournament. Despite format changes, tournament contributions to local Coachella Valley charities will exceed those made in 2020Due to local COVID-19 circumstances, the tournament will be

Former Dodgers pitcher Tommy John has COVID-19, reportedly hospitalized in the valley

January 6, 2021 11:02 AM Sarah-Jayne Simon

According to multiple reports, former Dodgers pitcher Tommy John has tested positive for COVID-19 and has been hospitalized near his home in Indio. The Daily Beast reported Wednesday morning that the 77-year-old has been hospitalized multiple times since testing positive on Dec. 13 and is currently on oxygen. John, a left-hander, pitched for the Dodgers

Looking back at the ups and downs of sports in 2020

December 31, 2020 2:25 PM Blake Arthur

CIF Southern Section issues update, response to CDPH latest

December 16, 2020 9:43 PM Blake Arthur

The wait for high school sports will continue until at least Jan. 25, 2021. This after the California Department of Public Health issued a new guidance on Monday, Jan. 14, 2020. CIF-SS issued a response on Wednesday following that release. The complete document is below. CIF Southern Section Update – December 16th, 2020 FULL LINK:

Local teenager is U.S. Open croquet champion

December 16, 2020 9:51 PM Blake Arthur

“My name is Blake Fields. I’m 14 years old and I’m the Association Croquet US Open champion.” That he is. And in only his second year of playing the sport. “Winning the U.S. Open was a great title for me. It was my first win in championship flight and I’ve only been playing for two

Student-Athlete of the Week – Emma Svoboda

December 15, 2020 5:55 PM Blake Arthur, Taylor Begley

“It’s in my blood,” said Emma Svoboda. She’s not kidding… both of Emma Svoboda’s parents played Division I basketball. Now, she’s carrying on the tradition. “Yeah, it’s nice being tall, but in the end, at the end of the day, just having a strong work ethic is going to separate you from other people,” she

CDPH says no prep, youth sports competition until Jan. 25, 2021

December 14, 2020 6:23 PM Blake Arthur

The California Department of Public Health issued a new guidance on Monday, Dec. 14 stating that youth/prep sports will be on hold until at least the end of January. The guidance released which youth sports are permitted in what tier of reopening. Many of the low contact sports, like biking, golf, tennis and running are

Cub Swanson’s return highlighted by second-round KO of Daniel Pineda in UFC 256

December 12, 2020 8:39 PM Taylor Begley

“Killer Cub” Swanson returned to the octagon after 14 months with a second-round knockout of Daniel Pineda in UFC 256 in the featherweight division. Killer @CubSwanson put the paws on Daniel Pineda. The claws are still sharp 🐻Stream #UFC256 on ESPN+ ➡️ https://t.co/WVX4zKCSVh pic.twitter.com/7ZNX9HsX7I— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) December 13, 2020 The Coachella Valley native made

Rams run past Patriots 24-3 on Thursday Night Football

December 10, 2020 9:51 PM Blake Arthur

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) – The Los Angeles Rams clinched their fourth straight winning season with a 24-3 victory over the New England Patriots. Not in our house 😏 pic.twitter.com/eoJzfpxEIM— x – Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 11, 2020 Rookie Cam Akers rushed for 171 yards in a breakout performance, and Kenny Young returned an interception

CIF-SS remains hopeful about 2020-2021 sports season despite ongoing pandemic

December 9, 2020 6:05 PM Blake Arthur

CIF-SS Commissioner Rob Wigod fielded questions on Wednesday from student-athletes in regards to the state of high school sports. Why is CA not allowed to play but other states can? When will prep sports return? Are we even going to have sports this calendar year? Watch here. I’ll have recap tonight, highlighting key points. ⁦@KESQ⁩

Student-Athlete of the Week – Grant Kelly

December 8, 2020 5:48 PM Blake Arthur

“As a pitcher, man, I control the game,” said valley baseball standout Grant Kelly. For Grant Kelly, high school baseball is just the beginning. “He doesn’t lack confidence. That’s for sure,” said David Shaw, Rancho Mirage head baseball coach. “What stands out to me is he’s a fierce competitor,” said Darol Salazar, Palm Desert head

Mickelson Foundation distributes $1 million to 14 local charities

December 7, 2020 2:35 PM Jesus Reyes

The Phil and Amy Mickelson Foundation took the proceeds from the 2020 American Express tournament to make donations to 14 Coachella Valley-based charity organizations. The PGA Tour event was held this past January at PGA West and the La Quinta Country Club. The event raised over $1 million which were distributed to the following charities:

Rams move into tie for NFC West lead, beat Cardinals 38-28

December 6, 2020 10:01 PM Taylor Begley

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Jared Goff first shook off his coach’s criticism and then led his team to the top of the NFC West. The Rams’ fifth-year quarterback bounced back from last week’s tough outing with one of his best games of the season, completing 37 of 47 passes for 351 yards and a touchdown

LeBron, Lakers agree to contract extension for 2 years, $85 million dollars

December 2, 2020 2:51 PM Blake Arthur

LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James has agreed to a contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers. James’ agency, Klutch Sports, confirmed the deal Wednesday during the first week of training camp for the NBA champions. The Lakers are still finalizing their new contract with Anthony Davis, who is also represented by Klutch CEO Rich

CIF postpones return of high school sports until after Jan. 1, 2021

December 1, 2020 4:20 PM Jesus Reyes, Blake Arthur, Taylor Begley

The California Interscholastic Federation announced the postponement in the return of full practice and athletic competition for high schools through at least Jan 1, 2021. This comes after the California Department of Public Health delayed the issuance of its updated youth sports guidance due to the surge in coronavirus infections and hospitalizations going on across

Student-Athlete of the Week – Trevor Plott

December 1, 2020 6:34 PM Blake Arthur, Taylor Begley

“I was like, ‘Wow, who is this kid?’ He was just head and shoulders above everyone, I mean, it was like, everybody was watching him. He was that good,” La Quinta High School’s Track & Field Coach Brian Ansley said. That kid was Trevor Plott. La Quinta High School’s Track & Field Coach Brian Ansley