Author: Matt Simon
Matt Simon has been covering sports since 2013. During his time at Long Beach State, he served as sports editor for the Daily 49er while completing his degree. Since then, he has reported extensively on athletics throughout Southern California for multiple publications. He also served as an assistant editor at The Maui News before joining The562.org as a correspondent. In 2025, he was brought on as an assistant editor.
CIF Girls’ Basketball: Jordan and Wilson Advance With Thrilling Wins
The562’s coverage of Jordan Athletics is sponsored by former LBUSD superintendent Chris Steinhauser and the Timu Foundation. The562’s coverage of Long Beach Wilson Athletics is sponsored by Joel Bitonio, Class of 2009. The last Long Beach teams standing in the girls’ basketball postseason are both in the CIF Southern Section Division 4 bracket. After thrilling […]
CIF Basketball: St. Anthony Drops Second-Round Contest Vs. La Salle
Heading into the second round there were no surprises for the St. Anthony girls’ basketball team as they faced a familiar foe in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 playoffs. If the Saints wanted to advance they’d have to beat La Salle, a Del Rey League foe, who bested them twice in league action. Midway […]
CIF Boys’ Soccer: Millikan Can’t Find Equalizer In Tough 2-1 Loss To El Dorado
The562’s high school soccer coverage for the 2025-26 season is sponsored by Long Beach Poly soccer alum Kennedy Justin. The562’s coverage of Millikan Athletics for the 2025-26 school year is sponsored by Brian Ramsey and TLD Law. Millikan senior Ivan Cevantes Vega put it simply after the Rams lost a tough 2-1 game to El […]
VIDEO: Millikan Vs. El Dorado, CIF Boys’ Soccer
The562’s high school soccer coverage for the 2025-26 season is sponsored by Long Beach Poly soccer alum Kennedy Justin. The562’s coverage of Millikan Athletics for the 2025-26 school year is sponsored by Brian Ramsey and TLD Law.
CIF Girls’ Basketball: Wilson Rallies To Beat Hesperia, Advances to Second Round
The562’s coverage of Long Beach Wilson Athletics is sponsored by Joel Bitonio, Class of 2009. It wasn’t the best start for the Wilson’s girls’ basketball team, but in the playoffs it’s not about the way you start it’s how you finish. And after a game of runs, the Bruins came away with a 43-35 opening round […]
VIDEO: Wilson Vs. Hesperia, CIF Girls’ Basketball
The562’s coverage of Long Beach Wilson Athletics is sponsored by Joel Bitonio, Class of 2009.
CIF Boys’ Basketball: St. Anthony Can’t Rally In First-Round Loss To Leuzinger
Heading into their opening round contest the St. Anthony boys’ basketball team knew the game would come down to execution as they faced a tough Leuzinger squad in the CIF Southern Section Division 2 playoffs. On Wednesday night a third-quarter sprint by the Olympians was enough to put the game out of reach for the […]
CIF Water Polo: Cabrillo Holds Off Bolsa Grande To Advance To Quarterfinals
The562’s coverage of aquatic sports in Long Beach in 2025-26 is sponsored by Watersafe Swim School. The562’s coverage of Cabrillo Athletics is sponsored by the Cohn Family. After a dominating opening round win, the Cabrillo girls’ water polo team found itself in a very different situation during the second round against Bolsa Grande. The Jaguars […]
VIDEO: Cabrillo Vs. Bolsa Grande, CIF Girls’ Water Polo
The562’s coverage of aquatic sports in Long Beach in 2025-26 is sponsored by Watersafe Swim School. The562’s coverage of Cabrillo Athletics is sponsored by the Cohn Family.