USC athletes have competed in some entertaining games all week. From those games, they gave us some amazing highlights and displays of talent. Here are, for my money, the five best.
No. 5: Rashaun Agee’s ferocious slam
Starting off this week’s list at No. 5 is graduate forward Rashaun Agee, who nearly tore the rim off with his dunk against Villanova. Early in the first half, senior forward Saint Thomas dished the ball under the hoop to Agee, who rose up and slammed it with one hand. It was just pure entertainment as the Trojans continued to battle throughout the game. Unfortunately, the play was not all that helpful for USC in terms of adding another tally to the win column, as the Trojans ended up devastatingly losing 60-59. Nonetheless, it was still an impressive play, which is the only qualifying factor for this list.
No. 4: John Elliott makes the tag at home plate against San Diego State
Freshman catcher John Elliott made a huge play at home plate to help USC secure the win against the Aztecs on Tuesday. In the top of the sixth inning, with a player on first and second base, a San Diego State batter hit a double looking to send a runner home to tie the game. However, Elliott was ready, and stretched out to tag the runner right at home plate, ending the inning with the Trojans still on top 5-4. A review by the ump confirmed Elliott’s heroic play for USC. The matchup ended 9-6 with the Trojans taking the win and Elliott providing a crucial play to help the team. When you make a play like that to save your team and help lead them to victory, you undeniably deserve a spot.
No. 3: Rashaun Agee’s monstrous posterizing dunk
Now, cracking the top three is Agee again, who absolutely destroyed Villanova’s center at the rim by throwing it down on his head. After his first dunk in the same matchup, one would think it would be hard for Agee to top himself. But when you absolutely embarrass the other team by annihilating any player in your path to the rim, you outdo yourself, which is exactly what Agee did in this game. However, like I previously mentioned, his dunk didn’t prove to be all that helpful with the Trojans ending the game with a loss. The highlight is a spectacular display of athleticism, but I just can’t put it over the two winning plays ahead.
No. 2: 4x100 men’s relay team sets a meet-record time
At the Battle of the Bayou hosted by LSU, the Trojans won the men’s 4x100 relay and set a meet-record time of 38.60. Senior Travis Williams, junior Garrett Kaalund, junior JC Stevenson and sophomore Edward Nketia put together an impressive race that also left them tied for third on USC’s all-time 4x100m record board. I mean, just come on. There isn’t much to say following such a dominant performance that leaves your name up there with current world leaders. Although this is an impressive accomplishment from the four runners, there a game-winner managed to top them for the No. 1 spot.
No. 1: Brayden Dowd’s go-ahead winning homer
Getting your name up into the record books is impressive. But there’s something about putting the game on your shoulders to win it for your team that just reaches another level. That is exactly what sophomore outfielder Brayden Dowd did against Indiana on the night of March 29. At the top of the ninth, down one run with a man on second, Dowd stepped up and absolutely crushed a ball out of right field to give the Trojans the 13-12 lead. Talk about stepping up in the biggest moments and delivering. Dowd became the Trojans’ savior this game, as the run catapulted them to victory. To step up and absolutely crush a ball out of the park when the pressure is on, you have to be at the top of the list.
Logan’s Trojan Top 5 comes out every week.