Centennial Grew in Afflalo’s Absence

Most of the same players are running the floor again this season for Compton Centennial. Four starters who helped the Apaches to their fourth consecutive Southern Section final last season have returned, including Arron Afflalo, a guard headed to UCLA next year.

But in between the season-ending loss to North Hollywood Harvard-Westlake last March in the state playoffs -- Centennial reached the Southern California Regional Division III semifinals -- the Apaches underwent significant transformations.

Afflalo, who averaged 26.2 points a game last season, transferred to L.A. Price in September, shortly after Centennial was stripped of its academic accreditation, a basic seal of approval that is granted to the vast majority of public schools in California and is a consideration in determining college admissions.

Afflalo worried about how it would affect his scholarship opportunities at several major colleges, even though transferring could have jeopardized his senior season because he was required to file a hardship waiver with the Southern Section in order to play basketball at Price, a request that was later rejected.

His concerns were alleviated, however, during a recruiting visit to UCLA in October, when he learned a scholarship offer from the school would not be rescinded because of Centennial’s accreditation status.

Afflalo returned to Centennial last month and, upon his return, said he was immediately impressed with the development of his teammates.

Their shooting had improved, passes were delivered at just the right time and place, turnovers were coming less often and everybody was rebounding.

“They all had to step up and they all took on the challenge,” Afflalo said. “They all became leaders and not so dependant, which is real good. It’s what we needed more of, a team that’s not a one-man thing, but one in which everybody is capable of taking charge.”

Centennial Coach Rod Palmer said Afflalo’s return obviously strengthened his young team, which includes returning starters Tyre Thompson and Jervaughn Johnson, both sophomores, and freshman point guard Jesse Woodard.

“The time [Afflalo was] away allowed other guys to develop further,” said Palmer, in his sixth season at the school. “That has helped as much as anything.

“We have players who have stepped up because they weren’t sure if Arron was coming back.”

At the Bakersfield tournament last week, the Apaches lost consecutive games to Fresno Clovis West and Reseda Cleveland before rallying Saturday to defeat Moreno Valley Canyon Springs in the seventh-place game.

The Apaches shot only seven free throws compared to 37 for Clovis West, but the disparity had as much to do with transition defense and second-chance opportunities down the stretch.

“We let Clovis West get too many fastbreak opportunities,” Afflalo said. “In crunch time, we gave them too many second-chance shots, and they ended up making them or getting fouled.”

On the positive side, Afflalo said he didn’t feel as if he needed to score every point -- he wasn’t even the team’s leading scorer in the final two games.

“That’s a great sign,” he said. “I love to score and everything, but it’s always good to have help.

“It’s less tiring, and I would love to count on a teammate. Last year, I don’t think we would have been able to compete if I’m not leading the team in scoring.”

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Lynwood emerged as the surprise team of the California Prep Invitational, finishing third with an 80-69 victory Saturday over Fresno Central.

The Knights (7-1) led by one point early in the fourth quarter, but Seketoure Henry keyed an 8-0 run by hitting a fade-away three-point basket, then made a running 19-footer from the top of the key.

Jerry-Davon Jefferson followed with a three-point play to give Lynwood a 70-61 lead with 3:49 left.

Lynwood also posted a 28-point victory over No. 19 Reseda Cleveland in the opening round before losing to Clovis West in the semifinals.

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Westchester isn’t letting its off-court problems get in the way of its performance on the floor.

The Comets, two-time defending state Division I and four-time defending City champions, were banned from postseason play for one year on Tuesday after the section’s rules committee ruled that an assistant coach had recruited 6-foot-9 center Amir Johnson from Los Angeles Verbum Dei.

The committee also ruled Johnson ineligible for one year for giving false testimony, barred an assistant coach from the City Section for one year and placed Westchester on probation for one year.

The Comets (7-0) held Birmingham (Ala.) Parker to 33% shooting from the field Saturday and nine players scored in a 63-42 victory in a quarterfinal game at the Fort Myers (Fla.) City of Palms tournament.

Westchester, which plays Lexington (Ky.) Catholic in today’s semifinals, will appeal the section’s sanctions to a three-person panel Jan. 16.