It used to be, way back in the day, that the season would end the first weekend in March with the Tournament of Champions.
But when things expanded, the season got longer. When the California Interscholastic Federation expanded the number of divisions from three to five in 1988 and created regional tournaments, the winners and runners-up of all five divisions were eligible to be in the regionals.
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While the North Coast Section, Sac-Joaquin Section and the Northern Section jumped at this, the Central Coast Section, in which Half Moon Bay High School plays, voted to only send section finalists to the regionals.
Costs, missed class time, the extension of a long season and missing out on spring sports were among the reasons given by the CCS Board of Managers for voting no.
The decision has been ripped by many on message boards, stating that the CCS is not looking out for the best interests of the student-athletes.
Sorry folks, but the decision by the CCS Board of Managers is appropriate. With budgets being slashed, the schools need to save every dime possible. There is a very good chance that the semifinalists would travel to somewhere far away at considerable cost. Depending on how far away the team plays, a motel stay may be necessary.
The money has to come from somewhere. The CIF won’t pay for everything.
Traveling far afield means missing class time, maybe two days. Many students can’t afford to miss class since they are taking advanced placement courses.
Some players have been playing sports since school started, with no break from their fall sport. Practice for basketball started on Nov. 1. After one month of practice preparation, there have been nearly three months of practices, games and travel. Teams advancing to the state finals will be practicing and playing until the end of March.
Which brings up spring sports. For those who had hopes of making some contribution to their spring sports team, they can forget it. By the time they join their respective spring sports team, the league seasons will be well underway, with some teams reaching the halfway point.
Half Moon Bay’s softball team played its tournament last week down five players because of the extended basketball season. Those five could only watch the game. Since they were still involved in basketball, they couldn’t even have their names on the lineup card.
I get a kick out of high school basketball. But when the season expands to this point, one needs to stop and ask if this will benefit anyone.
Is missing class, the expense of travel, and having to forgo a spring sport worth participation in the expanded Northern California Basketball Tournament?
I think not.
Basketball should end in early March, giving those who have spring sports on their agenda an ample chance to play.
w