Melendez: Blair can't understand snub
MIGUEL MELENDEZ COLUMN
There will be times when we don't get what we want.
We can throw tantrums and tell everyone who will listen about how unjustly we were treated, but in the end we have to live with the end result and hope it doesn't happen again.
When mistakes are made we hope those responsible will offer an apology. It won't rectify the situation, but at the very least provides closure.
That's what Blair High School boys basketball coach Gamal Smalley wants from the CIF-Southern Section after learning last week the at-large selection committee left the Vikings out of the playoffs.
Twelve teams were given at-large berths in Division IV-A. Eleven of them finished with sub.-500 records. Blair, which had a winning record of 13-10, finished fourth in the Rio Hondo League at 4-6.
The tournament seeding committee utilizes the following in its selection process for at-large berths: head-to-head competition of teams under consideration; overall strength of the league in which the team participates; overall won/loss record; league finish and strength at end of the season (whether team has lost its last three games or won its last three games, et al).
Some of the teams that earned at-large berths include Santa Ynez (11-14, 3-9); Morro Bay (12-14, 4-8); Valley Christian (13-13, 3-7); Rim of the World (8-16, 2-5) and Notre Dame (9-18, 1-13).
Blair played none of the 12 at-large teams, so head-to-head competition is thrown out.
Blair's Rio Hondo League had four teams with records above .500. The top three teams finished 19-7, 18-7 and 16-9. By comparison, Santa Ynez and Morro Bay had only one team in its league finish with a .500 record or better.
In league finishes, Notre Dame was seventh with a 1-13 record; Rim of the World fourth; Santa Ynez sixth and Morro Bay fifth.
Strength at end of the season? Blair lost four of its last nine games; Santa Ynez lost eight of its last nine; Notre Dame lost 15 of its last 17 and Rim of the World lost nine of its last 13.
Smalley certainly makes a good argument as to why the Vikings should have been given an at-large berth.
Is it possible the selection committee made a mistake?
Yes.
Is it likely it will admit the mistake and give Blair a sense of closure?
Who knows?
"They can't rectify it," Smalley said. "The only thing they can do is make sure the committee double-checks next time. It makes you wonder who sits on the committee."
It is made up of 24 coaches who provide their services free of charge to the Southern Section. There are 1,073 member schools in the section -- the largest in California -- so you can see why the Southern Section, with a staff of 14, has outside help in making these decisions.
Joe Brown, president of the local NAACP chapter in Pasadena, was contacted by parents to look into the situation. Legal action seems premature but Brown said, "We're prepared for that."
"The kids genuinely earned the right to be there," Brown said.
Well, not necessarily.
When Blair finished fourth in the Rio Hondo League, they put their fate for a playoff spot in the hands of the selection committee.
What the Vikings should have done to avoid this was win games they shouldn't have lost. A sweep of South Pasadena, instead of a split, would have given Blair a 5-5 league record. The Vikings also may have avoided any potential problems if they'd split against La Cañada or Temple City.
But the reality is these things didn't happen.
Smalley feels his team should have been given an at-large berth. At this point that's not going to happen. But Brown said at the very least the team deserves an apology from the Southern Section.
Southern Section spokesperson Thom Simmons said an apology would be far-fetched.
"If they're going to be called out in the press and by member schools and if they're going to be second-guessed, we'll probably not have anybody that will want to be involved with that job," Simmons said.
The Southern Section, which has been in existence for almost 100 years, said other schools were left out of the playoffs and Simmons said none of those schools complained.
"I've never had a school demand an apology for not getting into the playoffs," he said.
"Sooner or later they will apologize, I promise you that," Brown said.
Could this be a case of discrimination?
"If all other factors measure out," Brown asked, "what else could it be?"
Simmons was appalled by that suggestion.
"They don't know the racial makeup of the committee and they don't know anything about racial makeup of the other schools that were let in," Simmons said. "And they would probably find out that those 12 other schools probably have the same representation of minorities that Blair does.
"I'm taken aback and offended they would even consider this is racially motivated in any shape or form. It's ludicrous to make that suggestion."
miguel.melendez@sgvn.com
(626) 578-6300, Ext. 4485
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Melendez worked as a correspondent for the San Gabriel Valley Tribune for three years and later landed a job as a freelance writer at the Los Angeles Times before accepting an offer at The Orange County Register covering high schools. Melendez covered Major League Soccer at The Register for three years before being promoted to report on the Lakers, Angels and Dodgers for the Web. Melendez also worked for the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Fresno Bee, Oakland Tribune and The Boston Globe. E-mail opinions, suggestions and tips to miguel.melendez@sgvn.com. |
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CIF and the school broad are like organized crime they have there own set of rules they go by and it will always benefit them. I too would be shocked if Blair received an apology. Nevertheless It's over, make sure the students know a mistake was made and move on. Beleive me CIF is not losing any sleep over this.
As a lifelong Pasadena/Altadena resident, former Alum of a PUSD high school and observer of Pasadena area basketball since the 1960's, I'm embarrassed for the Blair and PHS at LB Poly situations. Blair's dissapointment is understandable for not be selected, but the legal threats to CIF and other insuations make all of us in Pasadena look bad. The CIF has been taken to court on a number of occasions over the years for challenges of their policies and rules, but this one is over the top and brings negative attention to the community, when we don't need negative attention. The PHS loss of a game to LB Poly is not an embarrasment, but the throwing the ball against the wall, walking out of the gym and throwing a chair on the court is (events as reported by the Star News). I was at the 4 great games the the schools played in one season in 76-77 (PHS won 2 of the 4 games) and remember that it was as tough and hard fought as anyone could possibly stand, but I dont remember sportmanship infractions like the ones that happened last Friday night. I think the people involved from Pasadena have got to get out of the "world is against us" and the "if we dont win, we're going to meltdown" mentality.
I've seen such arrogance through the years from leaders at the CIF office. They play the role of bully much of the time and don't seem to have the best interests of students at heart.
If they keep up this behavior I can picture there being a mass revolt by member schools in years to come. Schools would leave CIF and seek to create a more fair and responsive sports authority for California athletics.
I would be shocked if Blair got an apology and CIF not apologizing for an obvious omission on their part is standard operating procedure for CIF. They are "untouchable" and they know it.
Your right Anon, we might as well just move on. CIF is not going to apologizes so if Blair wants a fair shake the next time just drop it. CIF is like the school board they do what they want regradless.
If CIF apologizes it will mean Hell must have frozen over.
Back to what this post is about....my friend's son is a senior on the team and was upset about what happened. At this point, it's a moot point as to who screwed up and how, but I feel that our boys deserve at least an apology. The whole situation was wrong.
Say a very good head football coach had scheduled interviews at PHS, TC and La Canada.
For sake of argument, figure all factors and responsibilities for the coach would be basically the same at each school.
Would it be possible for one of these schools to pay a much better starting salary? I am wondering what other possible incentives admin's could float to make one school more attractive than another, or what carrot could get dangled in the funky economy we now have.
With so many openings and just a couple top candidates...the intelligent thing would be to court the best of the best, maybe even seek them out, rather than let them cruise the SGV and smell better roses elsewhere.
Have yet to dine at the new phony porthole version of the old boat.
Now being located right next to the Fire Department building, at least if get some cheesebread lodged in your throat, some dudes can roll out and Heimlich Manuever you in a hurry.
I got to go check it out, I 've heard what Bob Anon states....food is much the same as old, but the place is somewhat sterile compared to the old school version. Two schooners of draft...probably ease the pain of that.
The giant KOHL's just changed the vibe of that corner. Some call it progress...
The new Boat has the same food as the old Boat. At least the famous salad is still good. I cannot vouch for prices though. Prices may have gone up.
I agree Goldenarm. This is when you start to set the tone of your program. It is also when you hire coaches and set up your summer. The longer you wait the less chance to succeed in the fall.
By the way have, you been to the new Boat? We need a restaurant review.
Matt,
My feeling is every day that passes without somebody putting serious thought to next season, is another day lost....and another day falling further behind teams like Monrovia and San Marino, who have solid coaching staffs in place right now.
ONE forgotten reaason the Rams had a strong year last season, was because it was one of the best offseason's and Springs at TC in a long time. Backus quickly grouped some of upcoming JV linemen with some of the varsity psycho-lifters like J Stew and A.Chen...kids who loved the iron. Some major strength and power gains were accomplished...and maybe more importantly, the kids starting to build some unity here and there.
In other words, I agree with you Matt. I don't think this is the #1 priority at TC right now either. PHS - well something tells me this is not a burning urgency there either.
I hope we all find ways to hold someone accountable - if bungling, delays and further poor decisions by those doing the hiring - eventually translate to a horrendously disapointing 2009 season.
The deadline for inhouse applicants at La Canada ended on 2/3. They said they would interview those candidates ASAP. No news. Get on them because I have heard the Principal is really dragging his feet.
Miquel
can you possibly get the readership an update on any progress in the head football coach hiring process for:
Pasadena
Temple City
LA Canada
In regard to basketball with its unique state playoff format and divisions, why can't the CIF SS just allow every team to make the playoffs. That way no one gets "snubbed" and things are settled on the court and not in some secretive backroom.
Just throw the door all the way open, let everyone in that wants in. It would require a couple of wild card rounds but it could be done.
For those who say that would bring non-deserving teams into the playoffs, take a look, they are already getting in. We already have a few teams that did not finish in the top half of their league and get into the playoffs with losing records.