Former Charter Oak back Kurt Scoby on the move again, leaves Duarte for St. Paul

By Aram Tolegian, Staff Writer

The question of where former Charter Oak High School standout running back Kurt Scoby will play next season took another turn Thursday.

Scoby, who last month left Charter Oak for Duarte, has now left Duarte and is enrolled at St. Paul, first-year Swordsmen head coach Elijah Asante confirmed to the Tribune on Thursday.

“After careful consideration of the needs of Kurt Scoby, his guardian has decided to enroll him in a faith-based institution that is St. Paul High School,” the statement said. “Scoby needed a family environment with a spiritual emphasis.”

Scoby, a junior-to-be, rushed for 1,572 yards and 21 touchdowns last season at Charter Oak. Rumors of his departure from Charter Oak started before the 2011 season began and picked up again following it.

Scoby eventually landed at Duarte after he was rumored to be considering Bishop Amat and Monrovia. But things never went smoothly for him at Duarte, according to sources, and he eventually sought out another transfer.

“I wish the kid nothing but the best and our team chemistry is so strong that this won’t affect us,” Duarte coach Jason Martin said. “We’re looking forward to a very successful year and competing for a league championship.”

For Asante, picking up a player of Scoby’s caliber is a major coup. The Swordsmen have one of the toughest nonleague schedules around with games against Mater Dei, La Habra and Servite before they start play in the rugged Mission League.

St. Paul made a splash this offseason when it hired Asante to replace legendary former coach Marijon Ancich, who retired after last season.

Asante made a name for himself after a strong run at Carson.

“Our objective is to develop scholar-athletes and win every time we take the field,” Asante said. “We are happy to get the kid (Scoby) in here. The first thing we need to focus on here is academics and make sure he does well in the classroom.

“I’m definitely pleased and look forward to working with him and developing his talent both in the classroom and on the football field.”

aram.tolegian@sgvn.com

Facebook Twitter Plusone Digg Reddit Stumbleupon Tumblr Email