Culver City High School’s boys basketball team is using the pre-season tournaments to improve and get ready to make a run at the Ocean League title.
They are 4-4. Two losses were to strong teams and the other two defeats were narrow.
That’s the same formula the football team used. They were 1-4 in the pre-season and 5-0 in the Ocean League.
“We need to grow and get better,” said coach Adam Eskridge after their loss to Faitfax. “These pre-season games are huge when it comes to getting ready for the Ocean League. Tournaments like these are important for the development of our team.”
The Centaurs have played in the Mira Costa and Santa Monica tournaments. They lost 59-58 to Mira Costa and 60-58 against Palisades. Their other two defeats came at the hands of Brentwood (3-1) and Fairfax (3-1).
Culver City’s next game will be Wednesday at home against Angelou at 7:30. On Friday, Dec. 20, they travel to St. Bernard to take on the Vikings at 7:30.
The Centaurs are led by forward/center Armani Nicolis and guards Issac Girley and Chris Edwards. Nicolis is averaging 16 points and nine rebounds. Edwards is averaging 14 points per game and Girley is averaging seven.
“Armani is a double-double machine,” said Eskridge. “He is our leader on offense and defense. His defense and rebounding bring a lot to the table. His offense is outstanding. Edwards and Girley are 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.
Mr. Finley may be contacted at sfinley50@aol.com
