All City 4-A Teams to Make Playoffs in Boys’ Basketball

The City Section boys’ basketball playoff structure has been revamped to allow all 16 4-A Division teams to compete in postseason play.

According to City Commissioner Hal Harkness, the original plan, which would have allowed the top 3 teams from the North Valley, Pacific, Metro and Southern leagues into the playoffs, was scrapped because it would have allowed first-round byes for the 4 first-place teams.

Harkness said that he soured on the 12-team format after the football season when league champions remained idle during the first round of play.

Harkness said that he and City administrator Lee Joseph instituted the plan midway through the season and that no input was sought from 4-A coaches.

“The long layoff became a problem for some teams,” Harkness said in reference to the football season. “It was an administrative decision. Having 12 teams in the playoffs is just not the best way to do it. Four more teams does not create a problem.

“If anything, it’s a carrot to the teams that play at the tougher 4-A level.”

The revisions will be evaluated at season’s end, Harkness said. If the 16-team system is viewed as unsatisfactory, the 4-A Division might use an 8-team system next season. Only the top 2 teams from each league would qualify under that format.

Harkness insisted that allowing 16 teams to compete in the playoffs does not dilute the importance of regular-season games.

“What have all the major college conferences done--gone to tournaments,” Harkness said. “The regular season still gives everyone an opportunity to play, progress and establish a seeding for the playoffs.”

Cleveland Coach Bob Braswell applauded the plan, even though under the 12-team format the Cavaliers, who are undefeated in North Valley play at 7-0, would probably have received a first-round bye. Braswell acknowledged that the layoff between the conclusion of the regular season and second-round playoff games might prove more of a burden than playing a fourth-place team.

“I’d rather play the game,” Braswell said. “I don’t want our guys having to wait 10 or 11 days before playing again. It’s hard to stay sharp.”

Granada Hills Coach Bob Johnson, whose team is in last place in the North Valley League, received the news with mixed emotions.

“I’m not sure how great it is,” Johnson said. “It means we’ll probably play Manual (Arts), Westchester or Crenshaw.”

Other coaches from the 4-A Division were even more negative.

“I think it’s absurd . . . to me, it’s a joke,” said Carson Coach Rich Masson, whose team has a 2-game lead in the Pacific League at 4-2. “It doesn’t make any sense. It doesn’t reward the teams that win league.”

Gardena Coach Bill Hughes, who formerly coached at Reseda and whose team lost to Cleveland, 111-58, in a nonleague game Jan. 4, does not welcome a rematch. And because Gardena is in last place in the Southern League, a rematch is possible.

“I don’t think it’s a benefit,” Hughes said. “A team that comes in last doesn’t deserve to make the playoffs. We might end up going to Cleveland and we already lost to them by more than 50. What benefit is that?”

Harkness said he believes that first-round games can be competitive. For instance, he said, Cleveland was upset by Fremont, 69-64, in a first-round playoff game last year.

“One thing you learn is that you never know what can happen,” Harkness said.

Staff writer Rob Fernas contributed to this story.