PREP BASKETBALL : Edison, Canyon Forfeit League Victories After UsingIneligible Players

The playoff pictures in two Orange County prep basketball leagues were significantly altered Tuesday after Edison and Canyon high schools, which were ruled to have used ineligible players, were forced to forfeit several league wins.

Edison was ordered to forfeit all five victories and forward Baron Coenen was ruled ineligible at a Sunset League meeting Tuesday, in which league principals voted, 5-1, to impose penalties.

The Chargers, who were tied for second place with Fountain Valley at 5-3, are in last place with an 0-8 record. Fountain Valley, which had lost once to Edison, improves to 6-2, and Huntington Beach moves into third place at 4-4.

Canyon was forced to forfeit two of its Century League victories--over Santa Ana Valley and Tustin--because junior center Mike Proctor, who had played in both games, was ruled ineligible. With the added victory, the Falcons (8-4) moved into third place, a game ahead of Foothill and El Modena.

Coenen, a senior forward, transferred from Servite last summer and notified league authorities that he had changed his residence to become eligible. But district officials discovered after a three-week investigation that Coenen did not change residence.

Coenen had been cleared by the Southern Section office after sitting out the Chargers’ season-opener against Esperanza, and Edison Coach Jon Borchert was convinced that he was eligible.

“We followed the rules and didn’t play Baron until he was cleared,” Borchert said. “Now, the league rules him ineligible. I won’t accept the forfeits. As far as I’m concerned, we’re 13-8.” The Chargers officially are 8-13.

“What bothers me the most is that our principal (Jack Kennedy) was informed on Jan. 20 that the district was investigating Baron’s eligibility and they told him not to say a word,” Borchert added. “If I would have known that, I would have never played the kid.”

Canyon Coach Steve Sabins learned Monday he would have to forfeit two of the Comanches’ three league victories. On Jan. 17, the day following Canyon’s win over Santa Ana Valley, Proctor went home from school sick. That was the last Sabins heard from him.

Sabins said that Proctor, who had been living with his mother in Anaheim Hills, withdrew from Canyon and moved to Los Angeles to live with his father. Proctor resurfaced at Bel-Air Prep, where he played for the Bruins during their Westside League season.

An opposing coach in the Westside League recognized Proctor and informed the CIF office of the transfer. Administrator Dean Crowley then told Sabins of the infractions Monday.

Proctor scored two points against Tustin but did not score against Santa Ana Valley. Sabins watched a videotape of the Valley game and discovered Proctor had played the final 1:15 of the first half.

“He still has his team uniform, the team sweater we wear on road trips and a full set of sweats,” Sabins said. “He just disappeared.”

Fountain Valley will meet Edison in a Sunset League game tonight in the Chargers’ gym, and Santa Ana Valley will try to cling to its third-place standing tonight when it travels to El Modena. In other Sunset League action, Ocean View is at Huntington Beach and Marina is at Westminster.

In Century League action, Foothill is at Canyon, Santa Ana travels to Villa Park, and Tustin will play host to Orange.

In other action:

ANGELUS LEAGUE Bishop Amat (1-7, 4-15) at Mater Dei (8-0, 23-0)--The Monarchs are attempting to become the first Orange County team to finish the regular season unbeaten since Corona del Mar did it in 1976. Mater Dei senior Tom Lewis needs 58 points to pass Wayne Carlander as the fourth-leading career scorer in Southern Section history. Lewis had 78 points in two games last week, giving him 2,257 for his varsity career. The Monarchs, who have won 30 consecutive league games, conclude the regular season Saturday against Servite at Cypress College. Also: Servite at Bishop Montgomery.

EMPIRE LEAGUE Los Alamitos (7-5, 10-11) at Katella (9-3, 17-4)--The Knights can clinch a playoff spot with a win on their home court. Katella Coach Tom Danley will have to find a way to contain Los Alamitos forward Paul Crandall. Crandall was held to nine points in last Friday’s 70-50 loss to El Dorado but had 76 points and 36 rebounds in the three games before that. Bob Erbst, Katella’s junior center, is averaging 18 points per game and is a 60% shooter. Also: Esperanza at Kennedy, El Dorado at Pacifica and Loara at Cypress.

FREEWAY LEAGUE Sonora (4-4, 7-12) at Buena Park (6-2, 12-8)--The Raiders are already assured of their first losing season since 1979-80, but still have a remote chance of reaching the playoffs. Sonora is tied for third place with Troy and must play the league-leading Coyotes tonight and second-place Fullerton Friday. Troy concludes league play with Sunny Hills and La Habra, teams with combined league records of 5-11. Also: Sunny Hills at Fullerton and Troy at La Habra.

GARDEN GROVE LEAGUE Garden Grove (5-3, 12-9) at Rancho Alamitos (7-1, 12-9)--Rancho Alamitos can clinch the league title outright with a victory. Garden Grove is tied with La Quinta for second place but appears assured of making its first playoff appearence since 1972. The Argonauts have been led by forward Brent Kaser and center Jim O’Connor, who combined to average almost 20 rebounds per game. Also: La Quinta at Bolsa Grande and Los Amigos at Santiago.

ORANGE LEAGUE Valencia (5-3, 13-8) at Western (4-4, 9-13)--The Tigers can clinch a playoff berth with a win over the Pioneers. Western lost the first meeting with the Tigers, 60-51. Chris Rojo was playing in his first game for Valencia after recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his knee and had 17 points. “We just didn’t do a good job on him at all,” Hoffman said. “He owned that game.” Western’s leading scorer is Joe Burris.

SEA VIEW LEAGUE Saddleback (7-5, 14-9) at Corona del Mar (9-3, 17-6)--The Sea Kings can clinch a playoff spot and eliminate the Roadrunners from post-season play with a victory. Saddleback’s faint playoff hopes rest on beating Corona del Mar tonight and University Friday and hoping the Sea Kings get upset by Laguna Beach Friday. Even that scenario would leave Saddleback and Corona del Mar tied and force a playoff game for the league’s third playoff spot. Also: University at Laguna Beach, Estancia at Woodbridge and Costa Mesa at Newport Harbor.

SOUTH COAST LEAGUE San Clemente (3-7, 7-13) at El Toro (5-5, 10-12)--The Chargers need a win tonight to set up a showdown for third place Friday against struggling Capistrano Valley. Senior forward Scott Shockey is averaging 18.5 points and 8.6 rebounds for El Toro. San Clemente is out of the race for a playoff spot but has the talent to play the spoiler. Also: Laguna Hills at Dana Hills and Irvine at Mission Viejo.