Escoto Quits Cleveland Basketball Program

Bort Escoto, who served as the interim basketball coach at Cleveland High last summer, has left the program for personal reasons.

Escoto, 24, remained as junior varsity coach after Kevin Crider replaced him as the varsity coach two weeks before school started. Escoto, who coached his final game Jan. 11, said it was his decision to leave. However, he admitted Friday night that lingering disappointment affected the decision.

“I had high hopes for myself, the program and the school,” said Escoto, who will remain as a noon aide at Cleveland. “It’s like (becoming varsity coach) never happened. It’s like I had a dream, now I woke up and it’s back to reality.”

Escoto was a longtime assistant to former Cleveland Coach Bob Braswell and he promised a return to the up-tempo, flashy style that made the Cavaliers a perennial challenger for the City Section title under Braswell.

Crider, who unlike Escoto is a credentialed teacher, became the team’s fourth coach in 15 months when he was hired last fall. Crider also has taken over as junior varsity coach.