An improving Compton team will look to better last year’s campaign with an upgraded roster under second-year coach Tony Finley.
“It’s one day at a time for us,” said Finley. “We’re trying to get better each and every day and make progress every year. Last year we took some steps, we came close to winning some league games, and this year hopefully we can pull off some.”
Compton went 5-22 overall and winless in Moore League play, but Finley is optimistic about the future for a variety of reasons.
First, he’s got some new talent in. Serra transfer Orlander Wyatt is a senior guard poised to have a breakout season as a scorer and passer.
“This is my last year so I’m really looking forward to it,” said Wyatt. “We’re grinding it out right now, doing the little stuff that will hopefully help us win games. I think we’re ready to take the next step–I’m here, we’ve got some other additions, I think we’ll be good this season.”
Wyatt is excited to make plays on both ends of the floor, where we’ll be joined by Marcus Schorea, as well as returners like junior Xavier Goodlow and center Ryan Evans.
Evans is a football player who took a liking to organized basketball last season, and is back as a 6-5 center this year.
“He’s looking really prepared,” said Finley. “We should be competitive as long as everyone stays eligible and healthy.”
Finley is also optimistic about the future. While the transfers and returners should bolster this year’s team, Compton also has some talented newcomers. Freshmen Rayshawn McDaniels and Byron Geronimo are both six-foot-plus 9th graders, and along with sophomores Nate Willard and Crisipn Gonzalez will form a core that will be around for years to come.
The roster isn’t the only reason Finley is excited, though. Also coming up soon is the opening of the brand new Compton High campus, which is expected to be completed late this year and then begin hosting students and classes Fall 2025. The state-of-the-art campus will be a welcome replacement for the middle school campus that’s been housing Compton’s students and sports teams for the last several years.
“It’s huge,” said Finley. “It’ll be a huge difference-maker for us, being on a brand new campus. If a family is on the fence about where to go that can make all the difference. A brand new campus and gym–come be a part of history. It’s great.”
