Ocean View’s Appeal Plea Turned Down : Southern Section Decides to Retain Trophy, Maintain Sanctions

The 18-member Southern Section Executive Council Wednesday turned down an appeal by Ocean View High School, which sought to have the 1985 5-A division basketball runner-up trophy returned and sanctions to prohibit the Seahawks from competing in the 1986 playoffs lifted.

Ocean View, which will appeal again to the State CIF office, was put on two years’ probation in August after it was determined that Coach Jim Harris had used “undue influence” to keep Ricky Butler and Desi Hazely, transfers from Lynwood High, at the school.

The council also discussed Wednesday whether or not Butler and Hazely would be eligible to play basketball this year, but the Southern Section is not expected to announce its decision until today or later this week. Hazely also is a member of the Seahawk football team, so the eligibility ruling may affect his status immediately.

“There was no definitive response from anyone on the council as to when we can expect an answer,” Harris said Wednesday night. “We just know it will be soon--anywhere from tomorrow to next week. Our principal may find out by calling the Southern Section commissioner (Ray Plutko) tomorrow.”

Both Butler and Hazely lived with Harris and his family in their El Toro home last year. The players originally left their parents’ homes in Lynwood under the care of guardian Laurant Brown, father of former Ocean View player Derek Brown.

But when Brown decided to transfer to Crescenta Valley, Butler and Hazely subsequently moved in with Harris and continued to attend Ocean View.

Harris was relieved of his coaching duties by Ocean View Principal John Myers in March and then reinstated as the Seahawks’ coach two months later after admitting that he had violated Southern Section rules.

District officials forced Ocean View to forfeit its Sunset League title and 24 victories after Butler and Hazely were ruled ineligible. The two currently live with Huntington Beach resident Lee Jackson, who recently became their legal guardian.