January 2019 (3) Candygrams

Wednesday, January 30, 2019---Women of Troy Tennis vs. LMU

Trojan Candy went to USC for the Women's Tennis match with Loyola Marymount (LMU). This was the first match of a doubleheader.

As I walked into the USC Marks Tennis Stadium, I saw a banner of our men's and women's home schedules.

Everyone stood for the Star Spangled Banner before the match.

The team warms up for the match.

They have a "Fight On" huddle.

Now it was time to start the Doubles competition. At Court 1 were Juniors Becca Weissmann (4/13/2018) and Constance Branstine (4/13/2018).

Ana Neffa and Salma Ewing played #2 Doubles.

Freshmen Danielle Willson and Estella Jaeger were on Court 3.

Estella and Danielle won their Doubles competition, but LMU won the Doubles point to take a 1-0 lead.

Next, it was time for the Singles competition. Here is the lineup.

Freshman Salma Ewing played on Center Court.

Junior Angela Kulikov was our number 2 Singles.

Becca Weissmann played on Court 3.

On Court 4 was Sophomore Ana Neffa.

Junior Sydney Van Alphen played number 5 Singles.

Constance Branstine was on Court 6.

Angela Kulikov won first on Court 2 by 6-3, 6-0.

On Court 5, Sydney Van Alphen got a high five from Coach Swain when she won by 6-3, 6-2 to give USC the lead at 2-1.

Ana Neffa increased our lead to 3-2 with a comeback win on Court 4 by 1-6, 6-3, 6-2.

Constance Branstine clinched the match when she won her three set match on Court 6 by 6-2, 4-6, 6-4.

Our Women of Troy won their first home match 4-2.

FIGHT ON, Women of Troy Tennis!

Saturday, January 26, 2019---So Many Good Friends at the USC-ASU Men's Basketball Game

There were good friends at the Galen Center for the USC vs ASU Men's basketball game. My sister Patti Poon walked down with me to the court seats to go say "Hi" to them. The first good friend was De'Anthony Melton (4/12/2017). De'Anthony is playing for the Phoenix Suns now. He was there with his sister Destiny, his brother Darmauri, and mother Monique. Patti posed with De'Anthony.

The next good friend was Jordan McLaughlin (5/26/2015). Jordan is playing for the Long Island Nets, and he came with his girlfriend Anissa Claiborne. Patti posed with Jordan.

Later in the game, Trojan Candy saw another long-time good friend. Matt Leinart was shown on the Galen Center big screen. I looked around and found him in a mid-court floor seat. I tapped him on the shoulder during a time-out. He turned around and recognized me. I mentioned that I saw that he got married. Then, Matt showed me his wedding ring. Congratulations, Matt! Matt and his son Cole were at another game in 2017 (1/25/2017).

The game was close. Bennie Boatwright (8/28/2015) shot the winning three pointer with 14 seconds left.

After the game, Bennie was interviewed on the radio.

Trojan Candy took a video of some of Bennie's interview and his winning shot.

What an exciting finish!