Applying the same formula the Culver City High School football team used, the Centaur boys basketball team is playing high end opponents in the preseason tournaments to improve and get ready to make a run at the Ocean League title.
Culver City’s played Wednesday at home against Angelou at 7:30 p.m. but scores were not available at press time. On Friday, Dec. 20, they travel to St. Bernard to take on the Vikings at 7:30 p.m.
“We need to grow and get better,” said Culver City coach Adam Eskridge after their recent loss to Fairfax. “These pre-season games are huge when it comes to getting ready for the Ocean League. Tournaments like these are very important for the development of our team.”
The Centaurs have played in the Mira Costa and Santa Monica Tournaments. In those two tournaments, they lost 59-58 to Mira Costa and 60-58 against Palisades. The team’s only other two losses came at the hands of two other very good teams: Brentwood and Fairfax.
The Centaurs are led by forward/center Armani Nicolis and guards Issac Girley and Chris Edwards; Nicolis is averaging 16 points per game and nine rebounds. Edwards is averaging 14 points per game, and Girley is averaging seven points.
“Armani is a double, double machine,” Eskridge said. “He is our leader on offense and defense. His defense and rebounding brings a lot to the table and his offense is outstanding. Edwards and Girley are both outstanding offensive players. Edwards is our sparkplug.”
In the middle the Centaurs will rely on 6-5, 225 pound center David Handler. The part-time starting quarterback is trying to get into basketball shape.
“He provides the size that we don’t have at the center position,” Eskridge said.
