Ribet Basketball Team Motivated by Tragedy

A season that began with a tragedy is developing into one of triumph for the Ribet Academy boys’ basketball team.

On Nov. 29, senior Lawrence Jenkins died after collapsing during practice while running light wind sprints. An autopsy determined Jenkins died from a blockage of a major artery that supplies blood to the heart. He was 17.

The Fighting Frogs, inspired by Jenkins’ memory, won the Heritage League and enter tonight’s regular-season finale against Pilgrim with a 19-2 record.

“The kids bonded together after Lawrence’s death and dedicated the season to his memory,” said first-year Ribet Coach Jaiquin Moore, who played guard for Ribet teams that won section titles in 1990 and 1991 and a state title in ’91. “Every home game, we say a team prayer at the spot he collapsed. We also have a play that is named after him.

“Lawrence wrote down our team goals before the season. We wanted to win league, go to the playoffs and win [Southern Section Division V-AA]. We knocked down one goal and we’re going for the next.”

Senior guards Jason Tubbs and Matt Houghton are averaging 25 and 20 points a game, respectively.

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Kye Courtney, who coached Hawthorne to a record seven state track titles from 1983-89, died Tuesday after a battle with cancer. He was 60.

Hawthorne won six boys’ state titles, one girls’ state title and 11 Southern Section championships under Courtney, who retired from coaching after the 1993 season.

Among Courtney’s athletes were Mike Marsh, 200-meter champion at the 1992 Olympics; Henry Thomas, state record-holder in the 100 and 200 meters; and Curtis Conway, the 1989 state 100 champion.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

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Paul Castillo, athletic director at Paramount, was named an assistant commissioner of the Southern Section. Castillo, 57, replaces Harold Cebrun, who left to become superintendent of the Lynwood Unified School District.