Coyotes Men's Hoops On Upswing, Won 5 Of Last 7
The Compton College men's basketball team started the year 2026 on a high, routing visiting Los Angeles City, 89-47, on Friday night as the Coyotes have won five of their last seven contests.
The Coyotes (7-8 overall) were led by a monster performance by freshman Keyshawn Ross Jr., who poured in 33 points, making 14 of 19 from the field and adding three steals and three assists. Sophomore Elijah Evans collected a double-double on 14 points and 11 rebounds and dished out five helpers. Second-year performer Nathan Ibarra tallied 15 points (7-for-8 from the floor), handed out seven assists and had three takeaways.
Six-foot-8 freshman Israel Nansha scored eight points with eight boards and frosh Cameron Atkins tallied eight points off the bench.
Compton's dominance in the contest was demonstrated in a 35-9 start over the game's first 15 minutes capped by an Atkins layup.
In early December, the Coyotes went 2-1 at the West LA Wild West Shootout tournament, securing a 96-80 win over Orange Coast and a close 63-60 triumph over LA Valley. Nasha scored 17 v. the Pirates while Ross' inside basket with 30 seconds left gave Compton the winning points against the Monarchs. Nasha was huge with 19 points in that win while Deuce Roberts chipped in 13 points, nine rebounds and five assists.
On Dec. 12 at home, the Coyotes defeated Southwestern, 80-71. Compton trailed by eight early in the second half, then clawed back to take a 49-48 advantage on a Nansha jumper. With nine minutes, Ross drained a 3-pointer for a 60-57 lead as that started a 13-3 team scoring run that put the game in the refrigerator.
While Compton is closing in on the .500 mark, the squad has faced tough company with losses this season v. the likes of state-ranked #2 Fullerton, #9 West Valley, #14 West LA (twice), #16 Ventura and #T30 San Bernardino Valley. The Coyotes also had a close 100-97 defeat to then #13 East Los Angeles (no longer ranked) back on Nov. 21.
Head Coach Keith Hollimon, the 2024-25 South Coast Conference South Division Coach of the Year, and his staff will have their hands full in directing the Coyotes to host #8 Mt. San Antonio next Wednesday, Jan. 7. On Wednesday, Jan. 21, Compton begins division play when it hosts El Camino. All games have 5 p.m. tipoffs.
