Fear of Gang Attack Spawned Sherman Oaks CES Forfeit : Prep basketball: Knights put first playoff berth in jeopardy because of concern for players’ safety.

Sherman Oaks CES High has waited eight years for its basketball team to earn a berth in the City Section playoffs. But when school officials feared that their players’ safety was in jeopardy, they chose to put the school’s first playoff bid at risk.

As it turns out, the Knights (13-12) have qualified for the playoffs, which begin today. But that outcome was uncertain until Monday.

Trailing Birmingham--the team it was battling for a playoff berth--by one-half game last week, Sherman Oaks CES forfeited Thursday’s game against Poly.

The administration feared that reported gang members might attack team players because of an incident that occurred after Sherman Oaks CES had been routed by North Hollywood the day before, 78-39.

Immediately after the Knights’ humiliating loss to North Hollywood, two Sherman Oak CES players quarreled in the locker room, but Coach Mac Becker separated them before their fight escalated.

“(Becker) was in the locker room,” said Principal Larry Rubin, who would not reveal the names of the players. “He broke the two up and thought it was over and done with.”

However, four alleged gang members who attended the game learned of the locker-room fight and attempted to retaliate after the game against one player on behalf of the other.

Although school officials warded off a further incident, Rubin feared the problem had not been resolved. On Thursday, with Becker’s approval, Rubin forfeited the game against Poly.

“We did not want to subject others to these outsiders--who were adults,” Rubin said. “We didn’t want to put anyone else in jeopardy.”

Both players were suspended from school and the team for two days after the parents of both players met with Rubin, Becker and their sons Thursday. Rubin had considered allowing the team to play at Poly without the suspended players, but still feared for the safety of the rest of the team.

“I didn’t know whether or not the young men knew who they were after,” Rubin said. “I was afraid they might show up anyway.

If Sherman Oaks CES had defeated Poly, the Knights would have clinched a playoff berth after their victory over Sylmar the next day. Instead, Sherman Oaks CES tied Birmingham for second place in the East Valley League with a 6-6 record.

Because the teams split two regular-season games, they played Monday to determine the league’s second and last representative in the City 3-A playoffs.

The Knights beat Birmingham, 66-63, in overtime to earn a playoff berth for the first time since the school instituted a basketball program eight years ago.

“They had to work a little harder to get to where they wanted to be, but I had to think about the safety of the others,” Rubin said. “They were in championship contention and I knew I was putting the season in jeopardy.”