Centaurs open league after three straight overtime losses

By Mike Cohen

Sports Editor

Steve Finley

Sports Correspondent

Dropping three straight overtime games, the most recent last Wednesday against visiting West Torrance High School, 51-50, the Culver City High School boys basketball team is piling up minutes and gaining experience as it heads into Ocean League play this week.

Culver will travel to Santa Monica this Friday, 7:30 p.m., to take on the CIF-11th ranked Vikings (11-4). Culver City has a record of 4-10 but has lost six close games this season.

     The Centaurs are coached by Adam Eskridge, and they are led on the court by seniors Justin Montgomery, Julius Wilson and junior Chris Edwards.

     If the Centaurs expect to compete in the tough Ocean League, Wilson will have to score more points.  Wilson, who was one of the top football players for the Centaurs, needs to average at least 12 points per game if Culver City expects to keep pace with powerful Santa Monica and 16th ranked Inglewood.

Culver hosts Inglewood, Wednesday, Jan. 16, 7:30 p.m.  Culver City meets Hawthorne, Friday, Jan. 18, 7:30 p.m.  The Centaurs opened league at Morningside, this past Wednesday.

Culver City (4-10) took undefeated Hart to overtime two weeks earlier before losing, 82-78.  Culver lost in overtime to the Torrance Tartars, 58-55, four days prior to the Hart contest.  The Centaurs looked rusty after the two week layoff as they fell behind 11-5 after the first quarter against West Torrance (10-4).

Culver was cold from the outside, and did not get an offensive rebound until the fourth quarter. That combination produced only 27 points after three quarters and a six point West lead, 33-27.  The Centaurs intense defense held West Torrance to four points in the fourth quarter and allowed Culver to tie the score, 37-37.

The first and second overtimes had exciting plays, several lead changes and a last second lay-up by J.R. Montgomery that bounced three times on the rim before falling out to give West Torrance the 51-50 win.

Culver City missed 11 of 18 free throws.

Edwards, Wesley Dixon, Montgomery and David Handler have played in every pre-season game.  Montgomery leads the team in scoring with 11 points a game.  Edwards averages nine, and Wilson scores six points per game.

Dixon has pulled down the most Centaur rebounds, controlling the defensive end with 52 for the year and 21 offensive boards.  Armani Nicolis has also been a strong rebounder.  Edwards has 32 steals for the season; Montgomery has 30.  Cameron Robinson has blocked 10 shots to lead the Centaurs.

     The Culver City High School girls basketball team will also travel to Santa Monica Friday. Tip off is set for 6 p.m.  The girls situation is the opposite of the boys.  The Lady Centaurs are 9-4 and the lady Vikings are 1-12.  Culver is coached by Julian Anderson.