CCHS girls' basketball looks to improve in Bay League play

The Culver City High School girls' varsity basketball team is hoping to continue to climb the standings of a strong Bay league after starting league play with an 0-3 record. The Centaurs are now 2-3 in league play after winning their last two games against Palos Verdes last Friday and Santa Monica last Tuesday. Their overall record is 12-10.

Their next two games are Friday at second place Mira Costa and Tuesday at home against first place Redondo Union. Both games start at 5:30 p.m. The Centaurs are currently in fourth place behind third place Peninsula in the six-team league.

"This is a real tough league, but I like the challenge," said longtime Culver City head coach Julian Anderson after their win over Palos Verdes. "We have kind of been playing the teams close and we are just trying to hold on during these games. We have to figure out how to play better in the third quarter. We play good in the first half, but we have to figure out how to finish games strong."

Anderson wants to see his team play better defense and offense, but the good news is Centaurs have found two girls that have size. That's something his teams have been lacking over the years. "We have a couple of big girls but both of them are a little inexperienced, but they are getting better every day," said Anderson. Both girls grabbed eight rebounds against Mira Costa.

One of those girls is Abigail Reddick. Reddick is an upbeat player that appears to enjoy the game of basketball although she is new to the sport. "If I am not having fun what's the point of being out there on the court." Asked how she felt about being expected to box out and grab rebounds, she responded by saying, "I love it. I grab the rebounds and throw it out to the guards. It's an easy job to do."

A newcomer to the game and like most tall people in high school, she was recruited to play basketball. "I have been playing basketball for two years," said Reddick. "I think I am doing pretty good for a second-year player. I think we can get better as a team. I believe in our girls."

Good teams always have strong leaders, and the Centaurs have a solid general in senior guard and team captain Celeste Nimual. She is the younger sister of two former Centaur players. "It feels great to get our first league win," said Nimual after the victory over Palos Verdes. "We have been working really hard for this. We are going to have to keep working hard and just play good basketball and keep encouraging each other. Things are going to go up and down but when things are down, we just have to push through."

After four years of varsity basketball at Culver City Nimual is really enjoying her senior year. "I like how we are a really close team and we have been working really hard together. We push each other and we have great coaches. We are always working hard every day and that's what makes us a great team."

When the season is over, and the gym is quiet, Nimual wants people to remember her as a team player. "I want to be a great senior leader and a good team captain and a player that impacted this team in a positive way."

The boys' basketball team is 13-6 overall and 4-1 in the Bay league. That 4-1 record is good enough for second place behind first play Redondo Union. Their next two games are Friday at third place Mira Costa and Tuesday at Culver City against Redondo Union. Both games start at 7 p.m.

The girls' soccer team is 10-5-2 overall and 1-3 in league play. Their next two games are Friday at home against Mira Costa (3:30 p.m.) and Tuesday at Redondo Union (3:30 p.m.). The boys' soccer team is 4-7-1 and they are 2-2 in league play. Their next games are Friday at Mira Costa (3:30 p.m.) and Tuesday at Redondo Union (3:30 p.m.) The girls water team is 9-5 overall and 0-1 in league play. Their next two games are Thursday at home at Vets Pool on Overland at 3:30 p.m. against Redondo Union and 3:30 p.m. at Peninsula on Tuesday.