Culver City Observer -

Nearing the end of the regular season, the Culver City High boy’s basketball team helped its chances of reaching the CIF playoffs last week.

Coach Jon Chapman’s team defeated Beverly Hills, 87-81 in overtime and Morningside, 62-49, improving its Ocean League record to 3-3.

The Centaurs are attempting to finish in the league’s top three, but with at-large berths available might receive a playoff bid even if they finish lower. The CIF has recognized the strength of the Ocean League in recent years and granted extra berths.

Santa Monica and Inglewood both began the week with 5-1 league records.

Forward Aamahd Walker scored 33 points and guard Keilan Horton 28 against Beverly Hills and Horton had 28 Morningside.

Culver City was at Santa Monica Wednesday night and will host Inglewood on Friday.

“We defended the three-point line much better in the two games and if we continue to do that we’ll have a greater chance to win,” said Chapman.

“Beverly Hills had Austin Mills, who scored 45 in their previous game, but we held him to 19.”

Mills is a 6-foot-1 senior guard.

The Culver City girls are 5-0 in the league following two more wins last week, 74-52 over Beverly Hills and 61-14 over last place Morningside.