Compton Men's Basketball Gears Up For SCC South Division Play
MEN'S BASKETBALL '23-24 SCHEDULE/RESULTS
The 2023-24 Compton College men's basketball team has three more conference crossover games until the Tartars embark on the 10-game, South Coast Conference South Division schedule.
Compton (5-10 overall) is coming off an exciting 86-85 crossover defeat v. visiting Los Angeles City on Tuesday night. Jontue Cooper scored 24 points while Damajay Washington added 16 points to pace Compton.
The Tartars next plays at Rio Hondo College on Friday, Jan. 12. Compton's already played and beaten the Roadrunners twice this season, scoring a 66-60 victory at the Santa Monica O'Fallon and Singui Classic on the opening weekend of the season in early November, then defeating Rio Hondo again, 76-69, at the West LA Wild West Shootout tourney on Nov. 30.
Compton will begin SCC South play on Wednesday, Jan. 24 at Long Beach City College.
Coach Keith Hollimon's squad has played a difficult non-conference schedule, including two defeats v. state #2-ranked West Los Angeles, and one each v. #9 Mt. San Antonio, #27 San Bernardino Valley, and #30 East Los Angeles.
The team's most recent win was a 79-71 home decision over Southwestern on Dec. 19. In that win, Malvin Payero led the way with 19 points, seven rebounds and seven assists while Cooper added 18 points and seven steals. The Tartars were outstanding at the free throw line, making 28 of 35 attempts for an 80 percent accuracy.
Compton's leading scorer thus far this season is 6-foot-6 sophomore guard-forward Jake TenBerge, who is averaging 15.7 points and 6.7 rebounds per contest. He is a transfer from Takoma Community College in Washington state.
Payero, another transfer guard who played at Biola University as a freshman, is also having a strong season with 12.9 points and four assists averages. Cooper, a freshman who earned All-Suburban Valley Gateway League at Mayfair High, has been effective with an 11.3 points a game clip.
Mark down Jan. 27 and Feb. 15 contests in division play v. Los Angeles Southwest College, a team ranked #23 in the state. The Cougars may be the team to beat in South Division play.
Compton last won the conference championship in 2017.
The Tartars next home game is Wednesday, Jan. 17 in a SCC crossover v. Los Angeles Trade-Tech. All men's game times are 5 p.m. preceding Compton women's basketball contests at 7 p.m.