In the politically-correct world that we live in, I’d thought I’d share a thought on what seems to be the politically-correct CIF playoffs.
The system is the way it is, but does anyone else ever find it amusing that teams that earn top-four seeds have to, more times than not, go on the road to face a lesser opponent in the second, quarterfinal and perhaps even the semifinals?
What does being a No. 1 seed get you? Sometimes a first-round bye, but mostly a cupcake in the first round.
Isn’t it about time that teams with better records get rewarded throughout the playoffs?
For example; Muir, a No. 2 seed in the Division I-A girls basketball playoffs, traveled to Cerritos and Riverside King before facing Mira Costa in the semifinals at Pasadena High School.
In other words, the Mustangs got to play one game on their home floor the entire playoffs. Even better, had Mira Costa gotten upset by Canyon Springs, the Mustangs would have had to travel again.
In girls soccer, Maranatha had to go on the road to play against Torrance, a team with a lesser record. On a field that looked like a tornado ripped through leaving little grass and mostly mud, and with intense coastal winds, the Minutemen got blown out of the postseason.
Some sports, it doesn’t matter who the home team is, but I think it’s time to reward the top teams and give the teams with either the best record or the best league finish, the home game.
