Three St. John Bosco varsity boys basketball players have left the team and are no longer enrolled at the school, basketball coach Derrick Taylor confirmed Thursday.
Touted freshman forward Billy Preston, guard Lorne Currie and sixth man Brian Enriquez each withdrew for various reasons in recent weeks, the coach said.
The reasons for the departure of the 6-foot-8 Preston, a high-caliber prospect, are unclear. Taylor said he did not see it coming.
“I guess his mother felt that this wasn’t the right place for him,” Taylor said.
Preston, who already has a scholarship offer from USC, started every game for the Braves before leaving, averaging 9.6 points and 6.7 rebounds. His next destination is unclear.
Currie, a 6-3 junior guard, left before the school’s winter break for academic-related reasons in what Taylor called a mutual decision between the player’s parents and the school. A transfer from Fairfax High School of Los Angeles who was originally expected to gain eligibility this past Monday, Currie had yet to play a game at Bosco. He is reportedly headed back to Fairfax.
Enriquez withdrew from the school because of “personal issues,” Taylor said. The senior had provided solid production off the bench and averaged 3.4 points in nonleague play. His next move is also unclear.
Despite losing three of the top seven players in his rotation, Taylor said he is confident the team would not take a hit from the departures. The Braves (9-5) still have their top three players in University of Connecticut-bound senior Daniel Hamilton, highly touted junior point guard Tyler Dorsey and sharp-shooting sophomore forward Vance Jackson.
“I think we’ll be OK,” Taylor said. “Our practices have been sharper. We have other guys who can step up and play, guys who you guys (the media) haven’t known about, but you’ll probably know about them before it’s over.”
Ultimately, Taylor said the team has responded well amid the turnover. The Braves opened Trinity League play Wednesday with a 51-39 road win against Servite, led by a combined 33 points and 18 rebounds from Hamilton and Dorsey.
“We had the best two practices we’ve had all year,” Taylor said. “The energy level has kind of changed. … I think most of the kids are taking the opportunity to elevate their games.”
Junior forward Jesus Zesati, sophomore forward Joe Tate and sophomore guard Jared Harrell will see increased roles. Zesati, whom Taylor described as a “jack of all trades,” is expected to fill the vacant spot in the starting lineup while Tate figures to be the team’s sixth man. Harrell joins the rotation for tonight’s home game against JSerra (7 p.m.).
LBCC men’s, women’s teams earn wins
Long Beach City College’s basketball teams got off to a solid start in South Coast Conference play, winning the women’s and men’s games at El Camino College on Wednesday.
Four Vikings scored in double figures to lead the men (9-6, 1-0) to a 79-72 victory over El Camino (2-10, 0-1). Brandon Staton (Poly) and Elijah Gaines scored 18 and 16 points, respectively. Chris Spencer (Jordan) came off the bench to score 17 points and Kristien Owens (Wilson) added 14.
LBCC’s highly regarded women’s team (14-2, 1-0) had four starters in double figures and used a strong second half to defeat El Camino, 73-61.
Darshana Taafua scored 16 points to lead the Vikings. Crystal Cockerhan (Poly) scored 13 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Abbey Goodsell and Jasmine Williams each had 11 points. Williams added three steals.
Both LBCC teams are home today to face conference rival L.A. Harbor College.
Contact the writer: jkaplan@lbregister.com
Contact the writer: jimthomas@lbregister.com
