"To say that DeAndre Cole inherited a difficult challenge when he became the boys' basketball coach at Compton Centennial this season would be an understatement. The team went 1-23 last season and had a streak of seven consecutive losing seasons since finishing 13-13 in 2017-2018. "The expectation was to bring the winning culture, to bring some excitement," the 44-year-old Cole said."
"This is a program where UCLA assistant coach Rod Palmer once had teams competing against the best when alumnus Arron Affalo was bombing in threes and delivering dunks before going on to UCLA and the NBA. Centennial won the 2004 state Division III championship. This year's team went 1-6 in the Ocean League, where Inglewood and high-scoring Jason Crowe Jr. won the league title."
"He's a Crenshaw grad who says he was kicked off the basketball team by legendary coach Willie West. Asked what he learned, Cole said, "It takes hard work and being dedicated buying into the program and no player is bigger than the program." He said his problem was not listening to West and thinking he was the next Stephen Curry."
DeAndre Cole took over a struggling Compton Centennial boys' basketball program that went 1-23 last season and endured seven consecutive losing seasons since 2017-18. Cole prioritized bringing a winning culture and excitement and led the team to a 12-12 regular-season record, making the team eligible for a Southern Section at-large playoff berth. The program has historical success, including a 2004 state Division III championship and alumnus Arron Affalo. Cole previously coached as an assistant at Washington Prep and Manual Arts and nearly became Morningside head coach. He stresses hard work and team-first mentality while managing a small roster and creating a junior varsity pipeline. Guards Jaden McDonald and Edward Johnson emerged as the team's leaders, and multiple players also played football, including former quarterback Joshua Crathers.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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