Two successive one win and three loss tournaments the past two weeks actually demonstrate improvement for the Culver City High School boys basketball team, which gave touted squads fits last week in a rated tournament at Santa Monica High School.
The Centaurs, mentored by rookie head coach Adam Eskridge, are playing this week in the Westminster High School Tournament.
Armani Nicolis had 23 hustle points, including 10 rebounds in Culver’s first round loss, 68-47, against Alemany, the defending division 3 state champion.
Alemany frustrated the Centaurs with its full court pressure and second and third rebound opportunities in the second quarter, taking a 41-20 lead into halftime over Culver City. The Indians forced four straight turnovers to go on an 8-0 run to end the half.
Wes Dixon earned 20 hustle points for the Centaurs. Isaac Girley scored 14 points, and Chris Edwards had nine points and two steals for Culver City.
In the second game, the Centaurs had Palmdale in the palm of their hands, up 41-32 after three quarters, but collapsed in the 49-45 loss.
Cameron Robinson had 26 hustle points with six rebounds. Dixon had 16, and J.R. Montgomery and Chris Edwards garnered 15.
Culver City defended well against Fremont in the third game, outscoring Fremont 21-6 in the second quarter on its way to a 59-48 win.
Nicolis Armani had 30 hustle points with eight rebounds, Robinson tallied 29 with four steals, Julius Wilson had 23, and Isaac Girley earned 20 with four assists.
Oaks Christian combined 3-point shooting and strong inside play to take a 22-9 lead after the first quarter in the fourth game. Down 52-29 after three quarters, Culver ran off an 11-2 run to start the fourth quarter. But, an overall poor shooting performance (2 for 22 from three point range) gave Oaks Christian the 69-48 victory.
“Coaches saw improvement in the tough pressure defense, teamwork, and patience on offense,” said assistant coach David Gordon.
Armani amassed 34 hustle points. Dantley Brown had 20 with three assists. Dave Handler earned 19, and Chris Sanchez had 16.
The Centaur boys basketball team started its season with a rocky start in the Mira Costa Pacific Shores tournament.
A furious fourth quarter press wasn’t enough for Culver City in its opening round loss to Brentwood, 79-65. Wilson put together 39 hustle points with four steals and three assists. Montgomery and Handler had 24.
Trailing 57-49 after three quarters, Culver City was blown out in the fourth quarter by hot-shooting Mira Costa, 87-64, in the second round.
Dixon contributed with 34 hustle points, including five assists. Sal De Leon had 16 with four assists. Dantley Brown had 14.
Pressure defense by Banning had Culver shooting quick and difficult shots that clanked off the rim and produced only four points in the fourth quarter in Culver’s third game setback to the Pilots, 50-44.
Dixon led the Centaurs with 37 hustle points with five rebounds. Robinson had 20 with five rebounds.
Game four brought smiles to Culver players, coaches and fans as they won a close game versus Carson, 57-50. Culver led 29-25 at halftime, and 44-36 after three quarters.
“Sharp passing gave the players frequent layups, often after steals from intense defense,” said Gordon.
Montgomery had 37 hustle points with eight rebounds. Sanchez contributed 27, including three assists and three steals. Harrison Yette had 13 hustle points.
“We were a bit off the first few games,” Eskridge said. “We are starting to play a little more relaxed, which resulted in a recent win. The kids are still learning the varsity game.”
Eskridge was an assistant to Chapman for the last seven seasons. He is assisted by experienced coaches in Andrew Furuto and Gordon.
