Will History Repeat Itself?

Regarding your story (Southeast/Long Beach sections, April 2) about the so-called realignment of the San Gabriel Valley League, it looks like a scene from the past. I remember back in 1953, a brand new high school opened at the edge of Compton and South Los Angeles named Centennial.

We were placed into the San Gabriel Valley League. During that first year, ‘53-54, our football team lost only one game, for the league championship. The basketball team won the championship and got into the CIF playoffs. And, finally, the track team swept the league and tied for the CIF championship. This was all done with 10th- and 11th-graders only.

For our effort we got kicked out of the league and put into the Bay League. We don’t even remember what the excuse was.

Of course next year, ‘54-55, the football team won the CIF playoffs, and the track team took the league, CIF and state championships. Maybe Lynwood, Dominguez and Paramount can be lucky too.

--VERNIE O.WILLIAMS Jr.

Cerritos

Centennial Class of 1956