With additional reporting by George Laase.
One reason the Culver City High School girls team no longer is playing basketball is because their most powerful weapon disappeared in the second round of the CIF playoffs.
Trademark outside shooting, which has given them four consecutive unbeaten league seasons, was nowhere to be found.
The Lady Centaurs lost to Los Alamitos 44-30 last Wednesday inside the Del Goodyear gym.
The defending CIF 3A champions were moved into the tougher 1A division this season, making their championship road more difficult.
Despite the early exit, the Lady Centaurs again won the Ocean League with a perfect 10-0.
They were hoping to advance deeper in the playoffs.
“I did not expect us to shoot so badly,” said Coach Julian Anderson.
“At the end of the day things like that happen. Still, it was a great experience to be in the playoffs.”
Noting that “huge offensive players” graduated from last year’s championship team, “a lot of people have looked at our size and laughed,” Anderson said. “But when we took the court, we played solid basketball.”
Anderson has built a winning tradition at Culver City.
The players did it, he said. “I can’t take credit for their being good players,” said Anderson. “They never have given me or the school any problems. They were a joy to coach. To have a group of girls who followed the rules and who were good players is a tribute to them.”
The Lady Centaurs impressed the Los Alamitos coach. “They are a well- coached team,” said Rich Alvarez. “They had outstanding fundamentals. They play the game right.
“We knew they could shoot the three- point shot. We concentrated on stopping the three-pointers.”
Alvarez found the setting hospitable. “We loved playing here,” he said. “Everyone was good to us.”
The Lady Centaurs hope to continue their dominance in the Ocean League next season.
“Hopefully the returning players c have learned from their past experiences,” Anderson said.
Alexis Aquino, Alexis Arancibia, Billie Crichton, Jazzmine Lacy, Huma Manjra, Kate Suyetsugu, Kailey Tooke and Hayley Yamamoto return.
Katie Lin, Gwendolyn Machado, Lindsey Tanita and Megan Yoon graduate. “I will miss the seniors,” Anderson said. “I hope they will come back to visit.”
Mr. Finley may be contacted at sfinley50@aol.com
Mr. Laase may be contacted at GMLaase@aol.com
