Boys’ basketball: Principals decline to vote in Gardena Serra

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The principals from the Del Rey League decided Monday night not to make an exception in their three guaranteed playoff berths and include Gardena Serra, which had to forfeit 13 victories because of an ineligible player.

It means Serra will not participate in the Southern Section boys’ basketball playoffs.

Ted Dunlap, the school’s athletic director, released the following statement: ‘Due to an administrative error in the interpretation of a CIF rule regarding a foreign transfer student, one of our basketball players was deemed ineligible after initially being given eligibility.

‘As a result, the Serra varsity basketball team has been removed from the CIF playoffs and forced to forfeit wins that involved this player. The CIF would have allowed Serra to participate in the playoffs if the principals of our league voted to make an exception and include us as one of the three automatic entries.

‘The Del Rey League principals choose not to make this exception for our team. At this time, the matter is closed and we are moving on as a school community. The thoughts and prayers we have received during this difficult time have been greatly appreciated.’

-- Eric Sondheimer