Culver City Observer -

They weren’t available for summer competition and they missed the first eight Culver City High regular season games but four Centaur football players have joined the basketball team.

And one, 6-foot-1 Malik Deckard, was a key player last Friday night when Culver overcame a 21-point deficit to win a non-league game from Lynwood, 78-76.

Deckard had five assists, four rebounds and three assists He was named Culver’s Player of the Week.

“Malik gave us a spark that we really needed,” said Coach Jon Chapman. “He fit in very well.”

The three other football players now on the basketball squad are Julius Wilson, Yamen Sanders and Ronald Jones.

“Anything they give us will be a bonus,” said Chapman. “They’re all capable basketball players but they’ve missed a lot of our preparation.”

Sanders has been the least available because he’s been on football recruiting trips.

Culver (8-7) also lost to West Torrance last week, 57-44 after defeating Hart by two points.

“Playing on consecutive nights we didn’t play our best, and West Torrance has more size than in recent years,” said Chapman.

Guard Keilan Horton, who has become Culver’s leading scorer, averaged 20 points per game during the week. Forward Aamahd Walker, who was injured during the Beverly Hills Tournament, is gradually regaining his form, according to Chapman.

Culver began Ocean League play Wednesday against Morningside and will host Santa Monica Friday night at 7:30 following the girls’ varsity game at 6 pm, both in the Del Goodyear gym.