UCLA center Lorenzo Mata-Real speaks to the crowd during halftime of the South East-South Gate high school basketball game Friday at South Gate Park. The South Gate graduate had his No. 42 high school jersey retired in halftime ceremonies.

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South Gate retires Mata's No. 42 jersey

South Gate retired Lorenzo Mata's No. 42 jersey during a ceremony at halftime of Friday night's boys' basketball game against Eastern League rival South East.

The former South Gate star, now a senior at UCLA, attended the game with Bruins Coach Ben Howland, who recruited him along with fellow L.A. County standouts Jordan Farmar of Taft, Josh Shipp of Fairfax and Arron Afflalo of Compton Centennial.

In 2003, Mata led the Rams to their first City Section playoff victory in 11 years and posted 25 double-doubles in 26 games. As a senior the next season, he averaged 25 points and 18 rebounds and made the Los Angeles Times' All-Star squad. South Gate went 18-8 and finished undefeated in the Eastern League under then-coach Sal Serrano.

No doubt the Rams wish their honored alum could've jumped center at the start of Friday's game. South Gate lost, 61-45, and dropped to 2-10 overall and 0-2 in league under its current coach, Lester Sanchez.

-- Steve Galluzzo, guest blogger







CLICK HERE TO VIEW-MORE PIX ...SOUTHGATE VS SOUTHEAST


Wave Staff Report 20.DEC.07

At halftime, South Gate High School alum and current UCLA center Lorenzo Mata-Real had his high school jersey No. 42 retired by his alma mater.

UCLA coach Ben Howland was on hand as Mata-Real was recognized for his basketball accomplishments at South Gate. He is believed to be the only player in school history to earn a Division I college basketball scholarship.

Then South East, the city’s four-year-old public high school, went out and spoiled the occasion for the Rams by winning the Eastern League battle, 61-45 last Friday at South Gate Park.

The Jaguars, who were paced by Edward Calvo’s 22 points and eight rebounds, improved to 4-4 overall and 1-1 in league. South Gate fell to 2-10 and 0-2.

Calvo, Edward Rivera (13 points, four steals) and Michael Gallardo (15 points, six rebounds) were the standouts for South East, which jumped out to an 18-8 lead after the first eight minutes.

Marcus Creech had 12 points, while Raymond Villalba had 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Rams. David Castaneda added eight points.

In another Eastern League game Friday, Roosevelt (6-1, 1-0) defeated Garfield, 57-46. Senior guard Miguel Luis Ceja had 24 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and five steals to pace the Rough Riders.

Antonio Garcia scored 12 points and Angel Zelaya added 11 for Roosevelt.

Garfield is 2-5-1 overall, 1-1 in league.




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