Area roundup: Tony Azevedo bringing Aquatic Games to Long Beach

Long Beach native Tony Azevedo is considered one of the greatest water polo players of all time, and after retiring from international play earlier this month, the five-time Olympian is trying to grow the game with events such as the Aquatic Games. Azevedo and CTC Conferences & Events are hosting a youth water polo festival at Cabrillo High from August 2-6. Teams from America, Italy, Brazil, Australia and other countries will compete in tournament that will include opening ceremonies and awards ceremony. There will also be entertainment, interactive workshops and a vendors village.

“I think its going to be a really special event that will help to inspire the next generation,” Azevedo said. “It’s something I think should be in Long Beach, and I’d like to keep it going for a long time.”

Water polo Olympians Merrill Moses and Maggie Steffens, swimming Olympians Jason Lezak and Jessica Hardy and other professionals will be giving speeches and one-on-one feedback with the players. Workshops will feature mentors and trainers discussing nutrition, strength training, injury prevention and academic preparation.

“This is a awesome event,” Moses said in a release. “I want to share my story and help participants grow mentally. I want to watch them play with kids from different cultures and all walks of life.”

Live music will include the band Jelly of the Month Club that has several members of Sublime.

Learn more at www.theaquaticgames.com

College men’s basketball

Long Beach State aounced its 2017-18 schedule on Wednesday that is highlighted with consecutive home games against Fresno State and Stanford at Walter Pyramid On December 2 and 3. The season starts with a homecoming exhibition game against Cal State Dominguez on November 4. The regular season begins at San Francisco on Nov. 10.

LBSU 10th-year coach Dan Monson said in March that the difficult nonconference schedule he puts together every year derailed his team last season that ended with a postseason loss and a rash of transfers.

“This schedule provides a better balance,” Monson said in a release. “It was important to create a schedule that would help improve our chemistry and allow for growth as a team while continuing to give us a challenge and provide national exposure for both the university and the program.”

LBSU will visit Arizona, Michigan State, Colorado State, Oregon State, Pepperdine and Southern Utah and participate in the Advocare Invitational in Orlando, Fla. where it will face West Virginia on Nov. 20. The field includes Oregon State, Missouri, St. John’s, Nebraska, Marist, and Central Florida. The schedule also includes a pair of Division II opponents at home in San Francisco State and Texas A&M International. Big West Conference begins on January 4 at home against Hawaii. There is four straight home games against UC Irvine, UC Davis, Cal Poly and UC Santa Barbara.

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