A different voice and a different energy.
That’s the new motto rookie head coach Adam Eskridge is emphasizing to the Culver City High School boys basketball team, which despite its losing pre-league record is hustling and improving, according to assistant coach David Gordon.
Eskridge, a former assistant, was elevated to head coach this season after Jonathon Chapman returned to his role of vice principal.
Eskridge has promoted “defense first” in the three recent tournaments, while playing an up-tempo offense, using speed and depth to the team’s advantage.
“Our focus is defense and turning our defense into offense,” Eskridge said “We want to get out and run and use our depth. I plan to play a lot of guys so we can fly up and down the court.”
One of the guys Eskridge feels good about is senior guard Justin Montgomery.
“He is the focal point of what we are doing when he’s in there,” Eskridge said. Montgomery averaged seven points a game last season and has improved on that this year.
Along with Montgomery, the Centaurs return two players from last year’s squad in Julius Wilson and Armani Nicolis. Chris Edwards and Owen Furuta have moved up from junior varsity.
“We are going to score in different ways,” Eskridge said “We are going to score by moving the ball and knocking down shots.”
The dynamic duo of Aamahd Walker and Keilan Horton last season made up the majority of Centaur scoring. Culver City finished 14-14, losing to Colony High School in the second round of the CIF playoffs.
“Everything went through them,” Eskridge said. “If they weren’t having a good practice, the team wasn’t having a good practice.”
“We don’t have that superstar mentality this year. We have 16 guys who care about each other and who all work hard every day,” said Eskridge.
“There is more of a team attitude that we can get it done, not they can get it done,” said Eskridge.
The Centaurs scored only 15 points in the first half and still almost prevailed in its 58-55 loss to Torrance, last Saturday, in a non-league encounter.
Culver City won Friday against La Serna, 68-54, by taking a 27-11 first quarter lead. Armani Nicolis was selected player of the game.
Wilson earned Player of the Game in Culver’s 61-30 win past Orangewood Academy, Wed, building on an 18-3 first quarter start.
Corona del Mar edged the Centaurs, 63-58, last Tue., and Edwards was named Culver’s Player of the Game.
CONTESTED: Culver City’s Chris Edwards gets past a Carson defender to score in the Mira Costa Pacific Shores Tournament action. Centaurs are 4-8 in pre-league tournament games.
Photo by Joe Snyder
CALL ME COACH: Rookie head coach Adam Eskridge stresses defense and an uptempo offense for the Centaur basketball team.
Photo by George Laase
Youth volleyball clinic held
The Culver Volleyball Club will lead volleyball workouts for girls and boys, ages 9-12, Fridays, starting January 11, 6:00-8:00 p.m., at the Culver City Middle School gyms.
Youngsters will learn the fundamentals of serving, passing, setting, and spiking.
Sessions are $100 a month.
Contact Marty Siegal at 310-488-6811. Website is www.culvervbc.com.
