Boys’ basketball: City Section teams begin practice
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Today marks the first official day of practice for City Section basketball teams. Taft, Fairfax and Westchester are the clear preseason favorites, with Crenshaw, Fremont, Sylmar, Dorsey, Cleveland and Washington hoping to break into the top four. All four semifinal teams will qualify for the state Division I playoffs. The City finals will be held at USC’s Galen Center.
The good news for Fairfax is that 6-foot-10 center Renardo Sidney had his physical last week and checks in at 257 pounds, which means he has been working hard. If Sidney is in shape, beware.
The big news for the state playoffs this season is that each section makes the decision where to place their teams regardless of enrollment except for Divisions IV and V. That means Mater Dei from the Southern Section is moving up to Division I and will have to get past the City Section powers to gain a trip to Sacramento.
In a big change, the City Section will also send its Invitational champion and runner-up to the state Division II playoffs.
Southern Section teams begin practice on Saturday.
-- Eric Sondheimer