After being routed at home by Inglewood, 69-46, on Wednesday, the Culver City High School boys’ basketball team bounced back at home on Friday to beat Hawthorne, 89-77, to increase its Ocean League record to 3-1 and its overall mark to 16-4.

The loss to Inglewood was Culver's first loss in 11 games.

The Centaurs host Morningside on Friday and Santa Monica on Wednesday. Both Ocean games begin at 7:30 p.m. They visited rival Beverly Hills last night.

The Centaurs jumped quickly on the Inglewood Cougars (12-9, 1-3) by grabbing a 21-9 first-quarter lead. Jaylen Carpenter led the way with high-energy defensive pressure. 

Steals and defensive rebounds led to fast breaks and a 41-20 halftime lead.  Culver City continued to lead, 63-42, after three quarters, as starters were rested and nonstarters were given an opportunity to play.

Then Hawthorne let loose for 36 fourth-period points.

Culver City had 16 turnovers in the second half and 12 fouls (including two technical fouls), which allowed Hawthorne to score with the clock not ticking. The starters returned to face an avalanche of fouls as
the Cougars turned the fourth quarter into a free throw test for Culver City.

The Cougars frequently fouled Darren Johnson, who kept the lead in double digits thanks to his excellent free-throw shooting.

The Centaurs shot a sizzling 59% from the floor and made 31 of 46 free-throw attempts.

Culver City had four players score in double figures, and were led by Keilan Horton, who had a game-high 26 points. Johnson added 16. Aamahd Walker contributed 11 points and six rebounds, and Rufus Humphrey had 14 points, eight rebounds, four blocks and three steals.

Hustle points (rebounds, assists, blocks, steals) totals were: Humphrey 43 (including 11 defensive rebounds); Johnson 31 (including eight assists); Gabe Baettig 23; Walker 22; Horton 17; Kekoa Mathews 14; and Jaylen Carpenter 14.

The Cougars were led by Miles Green with 24 points, 11 rebounds and four steals. Brandon Hood tallied 18 points and six assists.

“This game was a test of character after the setback to Inglewood.  The players came back strong,” said assistant coach David Gordon.

Culver City was tested by an outstanding Inglewood High team last Wednesday, and the Sentinels proved too much for them.

Inglewood, 15-5 overall and 4-0 in league, took an early 15-4 lead but the Centaurs cut the Sentinels’ lead to seven. Inglewood then took a 36-22 halftime lead, and put on a dunk fest, including spectacular throw-downs from Rhon Mitchell and Julius Bilbrew, to surge to a 55-28 lead late in the third quarter.

Culver City could get no closer than 18 points. The Sentinels later extended their lead to 27 points before the Centaurs scored the game’s final four points.

Culver City was led by Walker, with 15 points and Horton with 10.

The Sentinels had a game-high 24 points from Mitchell, and 11 by Carlos Thomas.

“It will take a tremendous defensive and rebounding performance for any Ocean League team to upset Inglewood,” said Gordon.

Humphrey led the Centaurs in hustle points with 29. Carpenter had 19, and Horton contributed 17.