LOS ANGELES — The Southern California women’s basketball team welcomed some esteemed guests in their locker room on Sunday night. Cherie Nelson, who once held the record for the highest scoring game in the program’s history with an impressive 50 points, attended the game at Galen Center along with other alumni. Accompanying her was her 98-year-old mother, who recently lost her home in the nearby Altadena wildfires.
“Their situation was uncertain given the recent events, but her mom insisted on coming to see our team play,” said Trojans coach Lindsay Gottlieb. “They had been keeping up with our progress, and despite the hardships, the desire to support us was strong.”
The game attracted a vibrant audience of 5,881 fans, featuring personalities such as actor Vivica A. Fox and various children, marking one of the first athletic events in Los Angeles since the wildfires erupted the week prior. The LA Lakers and Clippers are slated to resume their schedules following game postponements due to the disaster.
“I seized this as a chance to bring some joy to people,” JuJu Watkins remarked. “Considering the somber atmosphere in Los Angeles, we aimed to entertain and uplift everyone for a few hours.” Watkins excelled on the court, scoring 35 points, while Kiki Iriafen contributed 28 in USC’s 95-73 victory against Penn State.
Notable players such as Watkins, Iriafen, and Rayah Marshall hail from the Los Angeles area, while Kennedy Smith is from Chino and Clarice Akunwafo is from nearby Inglewood. “This past week has been particularly tough for LA—and for me personally as I know people affected by the fires,” Watkins expressed. “It weighs heavily on our hearts.”
Iriafen, who is from the San Fernando Valley, noted that while her family was not directly impacted, many people in her circle faced loss and evacuations. “We’re focused on spreading positivity through donations and prayers,” she affirmed. “We feel fortunate to play basketball today. If we can bring a smile to someone’s face and provide an escape from the current situation, we’re truly thankful.”
In spite of the challenges posed by the wildfires, Penn State made the journey to Los Angeles after consulting with the Big Ten conference, as well as officials from USC and UCLA, regarding health and safety concerns. “We felt reassured that it was safe to proceed with the game, and we placed our trust in their judgment,” said Penn State coach Carolyn Kieger.
Gottlieb expressed gratitude that Penn State honored their commitment to the game. After their match, the Nittany Lions planned to head towards Long Beach, where they will prepare for a clash against top-ranked UCLA on Wednesday. The Bruins opted to relocate their game to Walter Pyramid, approximately 35 miles from their usual venue which is near the fire.
“It’s all about adapting,” Kieger remarked. “UCLA has to make adjustments too, so it levels the playing field. We’ll shift our focus and create a new strategy.” Initially, her players had many concerns about traveling to Los Angeles, especially with the effects of smoke and ash on air quality. “Safety was our primary concern, and everyone has adapted really well,” she added regarding her team’s experience.
The games for USC and UCLA against Northwestern were postponed when the Wildcats chose not to travel due to the wildfire situation, despite UCLA’s offer to adjust the schedule to accommodate them. Meanwhile, the Trojans were on the East Coast when the fires broke out, leading to a flurry of messages from fans expressing gratitude for providing a brief diversion during difficult times.
“I received numerous texts after the Maryland game from fans who said this was the most enjoyable two hours they had experienced in a while. It meant a lot to them,” Gottlieb reflected. She aims to keep the Trojans aware of the larger issues surrounding them while allowing them to focus on their passion for the game.
“I believe that this will eventually pass,” Watkins stated. “The crucial aspect for us, and our community, is to maintain faith and hope for a brighter future.”
