MEDIA CONTACT: RAMONA VARGAS, COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST
(323) 377-5432
WWW.LAJCC.ORG
350 S. Bixel Street, Suite 100
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Phone: 888-52-LAWSG

FINAL TEAMS COMPETE FOR TOP HONORS AT 2002 L.A. WATTS SUMMER GAMES

LOS ANGELES - With three days of exciting competition passed, the final teams are headed for the championship rounds of the 35th Annual L.A. Watts Summer Games, a program of the Los Angeles Junior Chamber of Commerce.

During the quarter final rounds on June 22, Taft High School edged out El Camino High School for a chance at the boys basketball title, while Long Beach Poly's victory over Muir opened the door to the final competition in girls basketball. More than 350 wrestlers hit the mats, with Santa Fe High School taking the trophy by more than twenty points. Track and field was equally exciting with powerhouse Birmingham High School winning several medals.

Baseball, basketball, cheerleading, football, soccer, softball, tennis and water polo will all reach the semifinal and/or final rounds on Sunday, June 23. As in previous years, finals day competition is expected to be intense. All activities will be held at L.A. Southwest College (1600 W. Imperial Hwy.).
Beginning the finals day celebration is the cheerleading competition, which includes hip hop and stepping categories. More entertainment will follow including a rap performer, the Washington High School Color Guard, the L.A. Sparks Cheerleaders, and special guest Al Downing, former pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Awards ceremonies will be held at 12 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4 p.m. in the gym.

"The L.A. Watts Summer Games is more than just sports," says Communications Specialist Ramona Vargas. "It's about pulling people together to experience a higher level of interaction in a safe and positive environment. Few tournaments are focused on a mission that encourages sportsmanship and character." The Games began as a means to overcome racial barriers - to show that youth have more in common than they realize. During the 35-year history of the Games, more than 185,000 high school youth have come to experience for themselves the power of building bridges of understanding.

The L.A. Watts Summer Games is owned and operated by the Los Angeles Junior Chamber of Commerce. All events are free and open to the public.

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