Santa Monica and Morningside displayed better teamwork last week to upend the Centaurs at Culver City High School to open the Ocean League.
In the opening quarters, Culver City played timidly against Santa Monica and boldly against Morningside but in the end, the Centaur opponents worked their offensive and defensive schemes better than Culver City did.
Santa Monica scored mainly from close range, while the Centaurs did most of their scoring with jumpers outside the key last Friday in the Vikings’ 67-61 win.
“Culver City played one of its better games, but a little more teamwork on offense and defense might have brought them a victory,” said Centaur assistant coach David Gordon.
Aamahd Walker had seven rebounds and five assists. Isaiah Taylor pulled down eight rebounds and Sal De Leon had five steals.
The Centaurs jumped to a 19-9 first-quarter bulge against Morningside High School last week to open league play, but Morningside caught Culver City and led at the half, 33-27, on its way to a 66-59 win.
Morningside moved the ball on offensewith crisp passes. When Culver City changed to a man-to-man defense, Morningside players cruised the lane and poured in eight layups in the fourth quarter.
The Centaur varsity team visits Hawthorne Friday at 7:30 p.m.
