***(UPDATED 3:12 p.m.)
Just got off the phone with CIF Spokesman Thom Simmons. Here’s how he explained the voting process:
The 36 members in the coaches advisory committee as well as an at-large member from each league and members of daily media organization (such as the Los Angeles Times, Daily News, Daily Breeze and Orange County Register) vote on a 10-point system to determine the weekly divisional rankings.
The ballot (which I’ve never received nor voted on while working here or at The Register) is sent out every Monday morning. The votes are tallied to determine the top 10.
So if Rosemead beat Monrovia handily why are the Panthers still four spots behind the Wildcats?
“It’s just like the BCS poll,” Simmons said. “If you lose early in the year you have a chance to come back. Monrovia lost that game early.
“Voters tend keep teams in those slots (so) it’s better to lose early than to lose late.”
Monrovia went on to beat Beckman, La Salle, Temple City and South Pasadena while Rosemead lost to Harvard-Westlake, beat Temple City and then lost to South Hills.
So what’s the deal if the Panthers played against much tougher competition?
“Those are quality losses,” Simmons said. “I’m not going to dispute that at all. They’ve played arguably a tougher schedule, but voters tend to take you where you are at that point; that’s why it’s easier if you lose early and tougher when you lose later.”
As noted earlier, if the season ended today the top four-ranked teams would essentially become the top four seeds in the division.
Votes by coaches and media are kept anonymous. If you think this voting process is wrong and want to voice your concern or frustration e-mail Thom Simmons at thoms@cifss.org
So Stang Fan, yes, if San Gabriel finished as the No. 1 team in the final top 10 rankings they were given the No. 1 seed. The final top four-ranked teams earn seedings and protected in the playoffs with either a bye and/or home field advantage in the early round of the playoffs. The rest of the teams are based on where they finished in their respective league.
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Here are the latest CIF-Southern Section Divisional rankings.
Are you as bothered as I am when you look at the Mid-Valley Division rankings?
They are mind boggling considering Rosemead beat Monrovia handily, yet the Panthers are ranked four spots behind the Wildcats at No. 7. (No knock on the Wildcats, but come on!)
The Star-News rankings are fun to look at. It measures the local teams against the rest of the area. But at the end of the day they carry little weight.
But the CIF rankings determine playoff seedings and it is why those polls should be as accurate as possible.
I put in a call to the CIF-Southern Section and I’m waiting to hear back from them.
Have your say. Here’s mine:
WESTERN DIVISION (III)
1. Palmdale; 2. Alemany; 3. Quartz Hill; 4. Santa Monica; 5. Warren; 6. St. Francis; 7. St. Paul; 8. Mira Costa; 9. Eastside; 10. Leuzinger.
Thoughts: This looks about right. Friday’s Mission League opener for the Golden Knights will be key if they wish to hold on to the No. 6 spot. Next week will be tougher when St. Francis plays host to No. 2 Alemany. I’ll be there on assignment.
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SOUTHEAST DIVISION (VII)
1. South Hills, 2. Charter Oak, 3. California, 4. Santa Fe, 5. Muir, 6. La Serna, 7. Crescenta Valley, 8. Rowland, 9. West Covina, 10. Bonita.
Thoughts: Same here. Can’t complain about the rankings. They are spot on though you can argue Muir should be No. 3. Crescenta Valley a little high?
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MID-VALLEY DIVISION (XI)
1. San Dimas, 2. Cerritos Valley Christian, 3. Monrovia, 4. Azusa, 5. San Marino, 6. Northview, 7. Rosemead, 8. Paraclete, 9. Workman, 10. Pomona.
Thoughts: No way Rosemead is No. 7. They’re getting robbed. The Panthers should be at least No. 3 but don’t be surprised if they suddenly rise to the No. 2 spot, which is where they belong.
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EAST VALLEY DIVISION (XII)
1. St. Margaret’s, 2. Marantha, 3. Brentwood, 4. Twentynine Palms, 5. Aquinas, 6. Fillmore, 7. Desert, 8. Santa Paula, 9. Malibu, 10. Big Bear.
Thoughts: Ah yes, the Maranatha always in St. Margaret’s rear view mirror. Tartans vs. Minutemen in the finals.
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NORTHEAST DIVISION (XIII)
1. Saddleback Valley Christian; 2; Riverside Christian; 3. Boron; 4. Linfield Christian; 5. St. Genevieve; 6. Bell-Jeff; 7. Fairmont Prep; 8. Rio Hondo Prep; 9. Pasadena Poly; 10. Chadwick.
Thoughts: The Kares have played a tougher schedule than Bell-Jeff and Fairmont Prep. They should be at least No. 6 after almost knocking off Maranatha and Brentwood.
