Coach Merritt Says Dolphins Are ‘Work in Progress’

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

Thrust into a role he did not anticipate but one he has embraced fully, Palisades Charter High School interim boys basketball coach LeBre Merritt said he was encouraged by what he witnessed during the December 4 Western League opener against Westchester.

Despite losing 59-50 on their home floor, the Dolphins led after the first quarter, battled to the wire and narrowed a nine-point deficit to four with three minutes left before ultimately falling short when the Comets made their free throws down the stretch.

Junior Eli Levi led the way with 10 points for the Dolphins, who dropped to 0-5 overall. Jack Levey and Aten Hassan each scored eight points, Muhammed Butler had seven, and Donovan Knighten and Cassian Aguet each added six.

“It’s been rewarding to coach this team as a former player myself, and I take pride in that,” Merritt said. “I’ve come full circle here, and I’m grateful for the opportunity.”

Kevin Lemle scored 13 for Westchester (2-2), which led 26-23 at halftime and 45-36 through three quarters. The Comets have won 54 of 55 league meetings against Palisades dating back to 1997. The Dolphins’ lone victory over that span was a 38-32 road triumph January 6, 2022, under previous coach Donzell Hayes, who was asked to step away from the program November 12 after eight seasons at the helm. Athletic Director Rocky Montz served as acting coach for Palisades’ opener at Notre Dame the following day.

“The biggest challenge is holding these guys accountable,” said Merritt, who captained Palisades’ varsity team in 2008-09. “That and teaching them that communication is key, both on the court and off it. It’s about positive reinforcement, proving constructive criticism and being a good role model.”

Merritt, who was named interim coach for the rest of the season by Montz prior to the Dolphins’ Tip-Off Classic game against Harvard-Westlake on November 16, opted to pull his team out of last week’s Maranatha Tournament and had to forfeit a contest with Muir, but he said he believes it was worth it. Getting his players in the gym was vitally important for chemistry and morale.

“It was the first week we had five straight days of practice, and I saw a ton of improvement since our last game [a 62-49 loss at Culver City on November 18],” Merritt said. “We’ll make more adjustments as we go. We need to work on our transition game and the spacing in our half-court sets. I want the guys to read and react. Don’t be robots.”

While Merritt said he was disappointed the Dolphins did not claim their first victory, he said he knows that will come in due time and Monday’s effort was a step in the right direction.

“We gave Westchester too many second-chance opportunities tonight, which is unfortunate because our rotations were better,” said Merritt, who is working with Montz to add nonleague games in mid-December. “We played really tight defense for most of the [shot] clock, we just had a breakdown at the end or gave up an offensive rebound, so we just have to learn how to complete the possession.”

Merritt started the year as an assistant coach for the Pali High girls team, and he continues to help in that capacity as well: “I’m still doing my part with them. I talked to them before they got on the bus today and they got back in time to watch the end of our game. We’re creating a culture wherein both teams support each other. I’m on campus everyday so I’ll be involved in both programs for sure.”

Ninety minutes before the boys game tipped off, the girls played on the road at Westchester, and although they lost to the defending City Open Division champions 64-56, Coach Adam Levine said he was pleased with the Dolphins’ fight and likes his team’s chances when the teams face off in the second round of league January 19, 2024, at Palisades.

“It was a great game and I think it shows we can be a contender in City,” Levine said. “Last year we got blown out the first game against them and only lost by four the second time.”

Guards Alyssa Ramirez (15 points) and Elly Tierney (13 points) were the scoring leaders for the Dolphins, who finished 2-1 in last week’s Westside Classic, defeating Simi Valley 65-28, then beating Crenshaw 55-48 in a rematch of last year’s Open Division quarterfinals in which the Cougars prevailed by 17 points. In their final game of the tournament November 30, Palisades fell to powerhouse Ventura, 62-49.

The boys and girls resumed league action Wednesday, December 6, versus University and take on Venice on Friday, December 8. The girls host the Gondoliers at 4:30 p.m. while the boys travel for a 6 p.m. tip-off.