Chapman will Be Assistant Principal

Jon Chapman, who coached the Culver City High boys basketball team the last seven years, has given up the position to concentrate on being the school’s assistant principal.

Chapman has been assistant principal in the recent past in addition to coaching the team.

Adam Eskridge, his assistant coach last season, will take over as head coach. Eskridge has coached the Centaur junior varsity and freshmen teams in the past.

He’s the son of former School Board member Mike Eskridge of Culver City Flower Shop on Washington Blvd.

“I was planning to have the team play at an extremely fast tempo,” said Chapman. ‘We began doing that last season and increased the tempo in play this summer.

“Every coach has his ideas so I don’t know if the plan will continue but I’m sure Coach Eskridge will take it into consideration.”

The Centaurs will be without Aahmad Walker and Keilan Horton, their two leading scorers last season. Both have graduated.

The team will have six returning players – Armani Nicolis, J.R. Montgomery, Julius Wilson, Laryn Ziegler, Sal De Leon and Nick Hale.

They’ll be supported by a large group of players from the junior varsity.

Chapman made a major contribution to Culver basketball during his tenure. Two seasons ago the Centaurs won 20 games.

He was a member of three NCAA championship teams coached by John Wooden at UCLA although he didn’t play major minutes.

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Chapman came to UCLA as a walk-on but earned a scholarship.

Chapman says he’ll miss coaching but will be extremely busy with a new school term.

Dave Gordon, Culver’s other varsity assistant coach, is expected to return.