The Culver City High School boys’ basketball team is moving into the most important part of the season.
The Centaurs, 10-8 overall and 1-1 in the Ocean League, need to win at Inglewood, this evening at 7:30, and at Hawthorne on Friday at 6, to stay close to Santa Monica and Beverly Hills. Both of them are 2-0.
One of Culver City’s main problems is protecting its home court. Last Friday’s 62-53 home court loss to Santa Monica put a big dent in the Centaurs’ title aspirations.
“We are not ready to win a game like this,” said coach Adam Eskridge. “Santa Monica is a very good team. They graduated a lot of players and they still are good. I want our program to get to that level.”
Santa Monica is the 94th ranked team in the state.
Culver City outplayed the Vikings for three quarters but it was the fourth that changed everything. “We came alive in the fourth quarter,” said James Hecht, Santa Monica’s coach. “We played with energy and enthusiasm.
“Culver City is a tough matchup when they bring in four guards and spread the court.”
However, missed shots and foul trouble were the main reasons for the defeat.
“We had a terrible night shooting,” said Eskridge. “Santa Monica’s defense had a lot to do with our shooting problems. We are not making that extra effort.”
Culver City’s best player Armani Nicolis got in early foul trouble. Center David Handler played one of his best games but Chris Edwards and David Girley missed too many outside shots. “David was unbelievable in the second half,” said Eskridge.
Aaron Edison also failed to do his job. Edison was open but passed off instead of taking open shots.
“We did not execute,” said Edison. “Our scorers need to lead, to talk and run our plays.”
Next week the Centaurs are home against Beverly Hills on Wednesday at 7:30 and at Hawthorne on Friday at 7:30.
Mr. Finley may be contacted at sfinley50@aol.com
