SOUTHERN SECTION BASKETBALL PLAYOFF CHAMPIONSHIPS : Questions Arise Over Junior High Athletes on Artesia Bench

The presence of six junior high school athletes on the Artesia team bench caused a stir Saturday at the Southern Section boys’ basketball championships at the Sports Arena.

While Artesia was on its way to a 58-40 victory over Woodbridge, several section coaches questioned whether the boys were being subjected to undue influence, a violation of Southern Section rule 510.

Southern Section rules prohibit high school coaches from having any contact with athletes not yet enrolled in their high school, unless it is part of an “open house” or “clinic” situation where the student is part of a general gathering.

Southern Section associate commissioner Dean Crowley said the Southern Section “was curious as to the number of non-players on the Artesia bench.” Crowley did not say whether an official investigation would be conducted.

Jim Perry, La Quinta basketball coach, athletic director and past-president of the Southern California Basketball Coaches Assn., was among the coaches who questionned the presence of the youths on the bench.

“I think there are an awful lot of coaches here who are wondering what those kids are doing over there,” Perry said.

“It’s hard for me to sit here as an AD and look at this situation. If I did that, my principal would nail me to the wall.”

When asked about the boys, Artesia Coach Wayne Merino first said they were all “younger brothers of kids on the team,” and were sitting on the bench as guests. Most of the boys leaned in with the Artesia players to listen to Merino during timeouts.

Merino said some of the boys--including Schea Cotton, brother of Artesia forward James Cotton--play for an area traveling team, coached by Pat Barrett.

“I can be honest with you, only three of those kids are from Pat’s team,” Merino said, adding that the other three were team managers.