Girls’ basketball: Martin Henderson is a genius, but not always

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Sometimes you’re right. Sometimes, you hope people won’t notice when you’re wrong.

Yep, I had a gut feeling about Windward, which tonight took out second-seeded South Torrance, 53-50, in Division III-AA girls’ basketball second-round playoff game. Yep, I’m feeling pretty good about myself, insightful and all. Monica DeAngelis hung 21 points on the Spartans. Martin Henderson is a genius. Whoo hoo!!!

Beverly Hills beat Edison, 49-43. Now, I will be the first to admit that Edison can’t win a game just by showing up. Heck, the Chargers lost to Marina after winning the Orange County Championships. But did I see 90210 in an upset? Well, not exactly. I figured Edison would reach the title game.

If I had to guess, I’d say Edison wasn’t dealt any favors by having to travel in its second-round game. That’s one of the great problems with the Southern Section playoffs. The seeded teams are awarded a home game against an opponent it should beat easily, and then plays a road game against an opponent that actually has won a playoff game, or two. Beverly Hills might be a bad example because it had to win a wild-card game just to get into the first round, but that almost proves my point more.

I’ve long felt this is a terrible way for the Southern Section to handle its playoffs. Seeded teams should be awarded some advantage other than a meaningless home game. Why not give them home court advantage throughout the playoffs? Then, there is actual value. For all of the City Section’s oddities, it does do the playoff home-game situation correctly.

Regardless, everyone is working with the same rules. That is a great victory for Beverly Hills .

Martin Henderson is not a genius.

-- Martin Henderson

-- Image from www.inventor.hu