It’s been a steep hill to climb for Compton coach Derrick Anderson, now in his seventh year coaching the Compton girls’ basketball team. When Anderson took the team over, almost none of his freshmen knew how to dribble or knew basic basketball terminology.
Anderson has stuck with it and slowly built the Compton program. This year, with an 8-3 start, the Tarbabes were rewarded with the No. 1 ranking in the CIF-SS Division 4AA poll.
“I couldn’t believe it when I saw it,” said Anderson. “I jumped up, I called all the coaches and players, just excited. It hasn’t been easy.”
Now his team could be looking at a CIF-SS championship campaign. Their biggest challenge might be getting to the postseason–despite vast improvements, Compton was still fifth place in the Moore League last year, one spot out of the playoffs. Anderson has put together a nonleague schedule he hopes will get his team over the hump on an at-large bid if they don’t finish top four.
That finish is within reach, though, with players like Shayna Sanders, who had 30 points in a game last week and then 28 in the next.
Makayla Smith and Janae Owens are Compton’s other top players.
“I preach to them, you’re seniors, don’t have any regrets this year,” said Anderson.
