The 2012 LA Watts Summer Games culminated last Saturday with championship games featuring the best male and female athletes Southern California has to offer. Over 200 schools competed in at least one of the many different sports on display including basketball, football, soccer, volleyball, softball and lacrosse.
For me personally, the most anticipated matchup of championship Saturday was the boys basketball title game featuring Compton and Hart. The Compton squad had the clear size and athletic advantage over Hart and controlled the game from the outset in route to victory. Despite being outsized, the kids from Hart gave maximum effort and competed to the very end, epitomizing what the LA Watts Summer Games are all about, competition and sportsmanship.
Both teams deserve credit for making it to the title game. The quality of basketball on display was inspiring to witness. CLA had a courtside view of the battle and documented some of the action. It would not come as a surprise if many of these kids play ball at the college level someday. This prospect alone highlights the immeasurable value of the Watts Games and its positive impact on the lives and future of local athletes.
In the end, schools from throughout the state took home some hardware. Long Beach Poly nabbed the girls basketball crown as well as the boys volleyball title. Inglewood went home with the football title. The boys and girls lacrosse titles were won by Laguna Hills and Louisville respectively.
Fremont came away with the boys soccer crown while Flintridge Sacred Hart secured the girls soccer title. Lincoln won the softball tourney and the ladies from Jurupa Valley claimed the girls volleyball championship.
Overall, the LA Watts Summer Games was a huge success. All the participants are champions in their own right. CLA was privileged to partake in the Games and looks forward to contributing in the future. At a time when many schools are foolishly cutting back on athletic programs due to budget constraints, the LA Watts Summer Games illustrates the value that sport, teamwork, competition and fair play instill on today’s youth.
