HS HOOPS: Kilpatrick forced to forfeit title, state berth

Bad news for Kilpatrick. The Southern Section just sent notice the Mustangs have been forced to forfeit their Div. VI-A title, and they've been removed from the state playoffs -- all because of an ineligible player.

Kilpatrick, a lockdown camp for juvenile offenders, was scheduled to play tonight against Sierra Canyon, which now advances with a bye.

"It's an eligibility thing. Something was overlooked," coach Kurt M. Keller said. "Our school discovered it when we went to state. My whole thing is, the kids didn't do anything wrong. It's tough because they've been told they're doing things wrong all their life, and this year they accomplished something great.

"I told the kids it's a beautiful thing what they accomplished and that they should feel good about themselves. This is just unfortunate."

-- Gerry Gittelson