Sunset Officials Question Coenen’s Eligibility

Edison High School forward Baron Coenen sat out the Chargers’ 58-47 loss to Huntington Beach Friday night after Sunset League officials questioned the 6-foot 4-inch senior’s eligibility.

Coenen transferred from Servite High last summer and changed residency that allowed him to become eligible at Edison for the 1984-85 season. He did not play in the Chargers’ season opener against Esperanza, but was cleared by the Southern Section office and has started every game since the opener.

Edison Coach Jon Borchert said he was instructed by Edison principal Jack Kennedy not to play Coenen on Friday night after Kennedy conferred with Huntington Beach Union High School District athletic director Bill Boswell on Thursday.

The league has scheduled a meeting on Tuesday to rule on Coenen’s eligibility and whether the Chargers will be forced to forfeit any games.

“We followed the rules perfectly and didn’t play Baron until the CIF issued a letter saying he was eligible,” Borchert said. “We did everything by the book. If we’re forced to forfeit any games, it will be blatantly unfair.”