How UCLA's trio of freshmen keep the joy coming during March

SACRAMENTO, CA – The loudest cheer from the pro-UCLAcrowd in the Bruins' Sweet 16 blowout win over Minnesota on March 27 came on a play that had no impact on the outcome.

Christina Karamouzi, a freshman from Sweden, scored her first points since New Year's Eve with a late-game corner triple to send the UCLA bench and fan section directly behind it into a frenzy. Fellow freshmenLena BilicandSienna Betts, both on floor, jumped for joy when the shot dropped.

The trio of freshmen, who call themselves "Slizzy," have embraced their roles on an experienced squad. Four of the starters for the Bruins are projected to be first-roundWNBA draftpicks this year, so minutes for the rookies have been hard to come by.

"It's definitely been hard since we are on a really talented team and we have a lot of players who are projected to go to the draft," Bilic said. "Just having each other really helps us out because we're all going through the same thing, we get to talk to each other a lot, and it's a really good thing that we actually like each other."

Six of the stars for the Bruins won't be in Westwood next year. The door will be wide open for Slizzy to enter the limelight.

"They're really talented, skilled players," Lauren Betts, older sister of Sienna, said. "I have all the confidence in the world in them that they're going to carry this team to amazing things next year, and in the next few years. So excited for them."

Michigan State's Rashunda Jones (1) walks off the court following a second-round game in the NCAA women's basketball tournament between the Oklahoma Sooners and Michigan State Spartans at Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla., Sunday March 22, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Kamy Peppler #1 of the Green Bay Phoenix reacts against the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the third quarter during the First Round of the Women's NCAA Tournament at Williams Arena on March 20, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Golden Gophers defeated the Phoenix 75-58.

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March Sadness hits hard in the Women's NCAA basketball tournament

Michigan State's Rashunda Jones (1) walks off the court following a second-round game in theNCAA women's basketballtournament between the Oklahoma Sooners and Michigan State Spartans at Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla., Sunday March 22, 2026.

In preparation for this reality, veterans Charlisse Ledger-Walker and Angela Dugalic have taken the trio under their wing. They even helped Karamouzi and Bilic, both international recruits, set up their bank accounts and phone numbers when they arrived on campus.

While Dugalic is close with the foreign-born component of Slizzy, she shares a special connection with Sienna Betts. They are in direct competition for playing time, but Dugalic has never viewed it that way.

"I want to do whatever I can to help Sienna," Dugalic said. "I just want to give her the knowledge that I know so that in the future she can be the best version of herself."

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After some of the older players decided to hang around for an extra year, Sienna Betts, one of the nation's top high school recruits, didn't get as much of the role she expected when she signed.

"The best I can do is just learn from it and shift my mindset," Betts said. "I know I've already learned so much this year and if people like Angela didn't stay, I wouldn't have been able to have her, and it would have been horrible."

The relationship is mutually beneficial for the older players. While mentoring, they are reminded why they love the sport.

"They just bring a certain type of joy that only a freshman can bring," Ledger-Walker said. "It really takes us back a bit and makes us all reflect, like 'We still can enjoy all of this' and be grateful for a lot of things."

Slizzy has been supplying good vibes to the Bruins since Day 1, or even before that for Karamouzi.

"They had already made up their name before Christina even got here, and so she just fit right in," Ledger-Walker said. "Seeing them kind of grow in their friendship, and just seeing them off of the court is so fun, but they're just such great additions to this team and bring so much joy to us."

No. 1 UCLA will try to keep the good vibes going all the way to the Final Four when it takes on No. 3 Duke on March 29.

Jack Little is a student in the University of Georgia's Carmical Sports Media Institute.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:How UCLA's trio of freshmen keep the joy coming during March

bySator Tenet

in

March 29, 2026

How UCLA's trio of freshmen keep the joy coming during March

SACRAMENTO, CA – The loudest cheer from the pro-UCLAcrowd in the Bruins' Sweet 16 blowout win over Minnesota on Marc...

Read More

Kristin Davis Reflects on Flirty Storyline from “Sex and the City” That Got ‘Fully Cut Out,' Says It Included a Steamy Kiss

On March 26, 2026, Kristin Davis released a new episode of her podcast, Are You a Charlotte?, that featured guest actor Jason McDonald from Sex and the City

NEED TO KNOW

• During the conversation, McDonald recalled a brief but flirty storyline his character had with Charlotte York that never actually made it to screen

• Davis, however, admitted to not remembering the kiss they shared in what was supposed to be included in episode 13 of season 2

For years,Kristin Davishas been synonymous withCharlotte York, the optimistic romantic at the heart ofSex and the City.

Now, decades later, the 61-year-old actress is revisiting memories from the show on her podcastAre You a Charlotte?, where she reconnects with former costars and guest actors — including Jason McDonald, who appeared in a storyline which was "fully cut out."

Onthe March 26 episode, McDonald explained that he was cast as a man named Emerson in season 2, episode 13, titled "Games People Play." However, it wasn't until the episode aired months later that he learned "they cut our whole storyline."

McDonald went on to describe the deleted plot, which centered around an Upper East Side bridge party.

His character and Charlotte were apparently paired as partners in a flirtatious setup that quickly escalated.

"You and I were making eyes across the room from each other, and then we ended up being partners, and then someone accused us of cheating, and then we went around the corner, and you put me up against the bookshelf and kissed me," he explained, prompting Davis to laugh at how "bold" the move sounded for her character, Charlotte.

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After the kiss, the scene ended with the party host walking in on the pair and telling them to leave.

Despite hearing the details, Davis admitted, "I don't have a clear memory." She explained that while she vaguely remembered filming a bridge-related scene, the specifics had faded — likely because the footage never aired. Instead, the storyline was ultimately cut, with the episode using a voiceover to explain Charlotte's abrupt exit from the party.

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For McDonald, however, the role had felt like a major breakthrough at the time.

"It was… the first big booking of my career, so I was so excited to work with you," he admitted to Davis, noting that he had auditioned multiple times for different roles before finally landing Emerson.

Not realizing his scenes had been removed, he even hosted a watch party with friends — only to find himself completely absent from the episode.

During their conversation, Davis offered a possible explanation for the cut, pointing to guest starJon Bon Jovi, who appeared in the episode as Seth, a manSarah Jessica Parker's Carrie Bradshawmeets in therapy. With limited screen time, Davis speculated that the rocker's storyline may have taken priority over the bridge party plot.

"No, really, no one can compete with Jon Bon Jovi," she said.

Even so, McDonald said he still looks back on the experience fondly. "You know, it's been a good story for me for the past 25 years," he emphasized, recalling the long night of filming and time spent with her and the cast. In fact, the actor still even has Polaroid photos from their time together on set, which he brought to show Davis.

The actress, however, still felt for him, offering a heartfelt apology.

"Well, I'm just really sorry. I just want to apologize for all of us. I feel bad. I know you're over it, but I feel bad, because as an actor, it's just so painful," Davis said. "Like, you try to get these parts, you try to get these parts, you get these parts, you're excited. You go, you do the best you can do, and you're just waiting for them to come on, and then it's gone."

"I'm sad that our little storyline wasn't meant to be; it's tragic," she added, noting that the "brief romance" sounds "fun" compared to "the other things that Charlotte was up to in this era."

Read the original article onPeople

bySator Tenet

in

March 29, 2026

Kristin Davis Reflects on Flirty Storyline from “Sex and the City” That Got ‘Fully Cut Out,' Says It Included a Steamy Kiss

On March 26, 2026, Kristin Davis released a new episode of her podcast, Are You a Charlotte?, that featured guest actor...

Read More

Disney opens World of Frozen at renamed Paris park in 2 billion euro expansion

CHESSY, France (AP) — The kingdom of Arendelle in Disney's "Frozen" now has a permanent address just east of Paris, complete with a lagoon, a wooden Nordic village and a robotic snowman that talks back to children.

France Disneyland

Walt DisneyStudios Park officially becomes Disney Adventure World on Sunday with the opening of "World of Frozen," a centerpiece in a 2 billion euro ($2.18 billion) expansion reshaping Europe's most-visited theme park.

The enchanted land at Disneyland Paris features the Frozen Ever After boat ride and character encounters with Anna and Elsa.

The broader relaunch adds a vast central lake, a "Tangled" attraction, 15 new dining locations and a nighttime spectacular using what Disney calls the world's first combined aquatic and aerial drone system.

More than 90% of the second park will have been redesigned since it opened in 2002.

It is no coincidence that "Frozen" and "Tangled" anchor the new lineup at Europe's sole Disney resort.

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Both are rooted in European folklore — "Frozen" loosely in Hans Christian Andersen's "The Snow Queen," and "Tangled" in the Brothers Grimm's Rapunzel — and Disney is leaning into that heritage.

"'Frozen' has its roots in European storytelling," said Michel den Dulk, vice president and creative director at Walt Disney Imagineering. "To have a northern European, charming wooden little village here in Disneyland Paris just made sense."

The park opened in 1992 as Euro Disney to withering criticism. French intellectuals at the time called it a "cultural Chernobyl."

Now Disney says the resort has drawn 445 million visits and supports 70,000 jobs.

The Paris investment is reportedly one piece of a roughly $60 billion global expansion of Disney's parks and experiences business, which generated 57% of the company's segment operating income in fiscal 2025.

French President Emmanuel Macroncalled the resort "the leading tourist destination in Europe" during a visit to the park Friday and said the expansion would create 1,000 direct jobs.

bySator Tenet

in

March 29, 2026

Disney opens World of Frozen at renamed Paris park in 2 billion euro expansion

CHESSY, France (AP) — The kingdom of Arendelle in Disney's "Frozen" now has a permanent address just east ...

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No. 2 Michigan beats Louisville 71-52 to reach Elite Eight

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Olivia Olson scored 19 points, fellow sophomore Syla Swords added 16 and No. 2 Michigan overcame a sluggish start for a 71-52 victory over Louisville in the Sweet 16 on Saturday.

The Wolverines had a 16-0 run in the second quarter to erase an 11-point deficit, their biggest, then broke a tie in the third quarter by scoring 17 consecutive points and cruising to their second Elite Eight, both in the past five seasons.

Michigan (28-6) tied a school record for victories and will play top-seeded Texas on Monday night for a spot in the Final Four.

Elif Istanbulluoglu scored 18 points for the third-seeded Cardinals (29-8), who shot 35% and were outscored 49-16 over a two-quarter stretch from midway through the second to the middle of the fourth.

Olson, the top scorer among a bevy of sophomores leading both teams, missed four of her first five shots, and the Wolverines went more than six minutes without scoring to start the game.

Te'Yala Delfosse, who had 10 points, eight rebounds and two blocks, had a 3-pointer during the second-quarter run that she capped with a three-point play for Michigan's first lead at 28-25.

FORT WORTH 3 REGIONAL

NO. 1 TEXAS 76, NO. 5 KENTUCKY 54

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Rori Harmon had 11 points, seven assists and six steals and Texas beat fellow SEC member Kentucky, sending the top-seeded Longhorns to another Elite Eight in thewomen's NCAA Tournament.

Jordan Lee had 18 points whileAll-America forward Madison Bookerhad 17 points, eight rebounds and five assists for the Longhorns (34-3), who have an 11-game winning streak. Harmon also had seven rebounds.

Amelia Hassett hit a 3-pointer on the first shot of the game for the Wildcats (25-11), but their only lead didn't last long. Texas responded with 15-0 run, in the middle of which Harmon had three defensive rebounds and four assists in a span of 90 seconds.

The Longhorns will play second-seeded Michigan in the Fort Worth Regional 3 final on Monday night. TheWolverines beat Louisville 71-52earlier Saturday, setting up the only regional final this year matching the top two seeds.

Texas is in the Elite Eight for the third year in a row undercoach Vic Schaefer. Last year it went to the Final Four for the first time since 2003.

Clara Strack, the 6-foot-5 center who came from Virginia Tech with coach Kenny Brooks two years ago, led the Wildcats with 16 points. Asia Boone had 11 points while Teonni Key added 10 points and nine rebounds.

SACRAMENTO 4 REGIONAL

NO. 1 SOUTH CAROLINA 94, NO. 4 OKLAHOMA 68

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Ta'Niya Latson scored 28 points and Raven Johnson added 18 to help top-seed South Carolina beat No. 4 seed Oklahoma and advance to the Elite Eight of the women'sMarch Madnesstournament.

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South Carolina will face No. 3 seed TCU on Monday night for the chance to go to the Final Four in Phoenix from the Sacramento 4 Regional.

The Gamecocks have advanced to the national semifinals in six of the past eight Final Fours and won three national championships during that stretch. Oklahoma was looking for its first trip to the regional since the 2009-10 season which was the Sonners last time in the Final Four.

The Gamecocks (34-3) jumped out to a strong start behind Latson, who was playing in her first Sweet 16. The senior guard played the first three years of her career at Florida State before coming to South Carolina this season. She scored eight of the teams first 10 points as the Gamecocks went up 10-0.

Johnson scoring nine points as the Gamecocks were up 23-13 after the first quarter.

Oklahoma (26-8) turned the ball over on three of its first four possessions in the second quarter and South Carolina took advantage. Latson's four-point play with 46 seconds left in the half made it 47-28. The Sooners got a stop on the next possession, but Sahara Williams missed a wide-open layup just before the buzzer.

Latson finished the first half with 18 points and Johnson had 16. Second-teamAP All-AmericaJoyce Edwards was scoreless in the opening 20 minutes. It didn't matter as the Gamecocks had enough offense from Latson and Johnson.

NO. 3 TCU 79, No. 10VIRGINIA 69

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Marta Suarez had 33 points and 10 rebounds as part of a nearly unstoppable duo with Olivia Miles, and No. 3 seed TCU beat 10th-seeded Virginia in the Sweet 16 of thewomen's NCAA Tournament.

TCU (32-5), making its second straight appearance in the Elite Eight, will face No. 1 seed South Carolina on Monday for a trip to the Final Four.

Miles, a senior and a three-time All-American, finished with her own gaudy stat line of 28 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.

A few weeks from now, Suarez and Miles will likely be WNBA draft picks, but for now, their final collegiate season and the chance they took to come to TCU has paid off.

The Horned Frogs went on 17-4 run to start the second half that put them ahead for good, even as the Cavaliers pressed aggressively and cut the lead to six points with 27.1 seconds to go.

Paris Clark scored 20 points and Kymora Johnson had 18 points, eight assists and six rebounds for Virginia (22-12), the lone double-digit seed to reach the Sweet 16.

AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-womens-bracket and coverage:https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness

bySator Tenet

in

March 28, 2026

No. 2 Michigan beats Louisville 71-52 to reach Elite Eight

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Olivia Olson scored 19 points, fellow sophomore Syla Swords added 16 and No. 2 Michigan overcam...

Read More