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Aamahd Walker draws a crowd as he drives the lane against Lawndale. The Centaurs beat the Cardinals, 67-40, in the finals of the Lawndale High Tournament. Walker led the Centaurs in points and rebounds for their 3-0 run in the tourney to end the summer se
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Michael Lee of Culver City High School takes a cut at a pitch. Centaurs were swept, 12-10 and 19-3, to Westchester at UCLA’s Jackie Robinson Stadium in the finals of the recent American Legion Baseball Sixth Area Tournament. Photo by Joe Snyder
By special contributor to the News Joe Snyder
Unwilling to place much stock in Culver City High School’s strong summer season-ending run in the Lawndale High Classic, Centaur varsity boys basketball Head Coach Jonathan Chapman said there is more work to do.
“We still are going to have to improve,” Chapman said of his team’s chances to excel in the upcoming 2010-11 season after the team went 3-0 in the Lawndale tourney.
“To do well in the Ocean League, we have to play well, or we’ll get left behind,” said Chapman.
In the final, a 67-40 win over the Lawndale Cardinals, the Centaurs fielded eight players — Jason Goodun, James Tolbert, Denzel Jackson, Yaneen Sanders, Aamahd Walker, Jaylen Carpenter, Gabriel Baettig and Keilan Horton.
“We have more guys, but these guys will do most of the work,” Chapman said. “All played well. We had a good finish this summer.”
The Centaurs started fast in taking an early 19-4 lead with their zone press forcing several turnovers before seeing the Lawndale Cardinals close to within eight points at 31-23 late in the first half. In the second quarter, Lawndale found the range from three-point land.
In the third quarter, Culver City missed several free throws and layups, and Lawndale cut the Culver lead to seven, 40-33.
After a timeout, the Centaurs went to work with their zone press and Lawndale could only get one shot in its next 13 possessions. Culver City outscored Lawndale 27 to 7 in the last 10 minutes, and a seven-point lead ended up a 27-point win.
Culver City had 28 steals (Walker seven, Horton five, Carpenter five). Several steals became Centaur layups.
“That explosive fourth quarter was a preview of the Centaurs’ defensive quickness and unselfish passing. Expect plenty of steals and assists in the Culver City gym this season,” said Centaur assistant Coach David Gordon.
James Tolbert was the leading rebounder with six, against Lawndale.
The Centaurs defeated the Mustangs, 50-43, in the second round, the Manhattan Beach team many observers feel will be a top contender, along with Rolling Hills Estates Peninsula, for the Bay League championship.
Mira Costa, meanwhile, had beaten Culver City several times in the spring and summer.
The Centaurs settled for outside shots in the first half while Mira Costa attacked the basket resulting in layups and free throws. At halftime, Culver City trailed 21-19.
In the second half, Culver City changed its defense to a zone and Mira Costa took more outside shots. Offensively, Culver City started to drive more and was rewarded with frequent trips to the free throw line.
Culver City outscored Mira Costa 31 to 22 in the second half.
In the tournament-opening 73-43 win against Monrovia, the Centaurs showed how effective defensive intensity and unselfish teamwork can stymie opponents.
The Centaurs had 23 assists and 22 steals as they increased a 10-point halftime lead to a 30-point victory with defensive pressure that did not stop until time ran out.
Walker had 10 rebounds and four steals. Horton had five rebounds, three assists, three steals, and no turnovers. Carpenter had five assists and five steals; Baettig and Tolbert each had four assists. Denzel Jackson had four steals.
Last season’s Ocean League champion, Santa Monica, went on to the Division I-AA championship game and lost to Leuzinger, 58-39, on March 6 at the Honda Center in Anaheim. The Vikings lost four of five starters from that team but should continue to be a top contender. Inglewood and Morningside are always very strong.
Last year’s Bay League and CIF-Southern Section champion Lawndale Leuzinger lost its head coach, Reggie Morris, Jr., who was dismissed by the school administration and went on to be hired at Playa del Rey St. Bernard, and was replaced by Ali Parvaz. The Olympians lost all five starters from the 2009-10 squad and are in for a rebuilding season.
