Campbell Hall to Appeal Ruling on Pearson’s Eligibility

Campbell Hall High representatives said Friday that the school will appeal a Southern Section ruling that could result in the forfeiture of eight victories by the boys’ basketball team.

The appeal will be heard by three members of the section’s Executive Committee at 9 a.m. Wednesday at section headquarters in Cerritos.

The section this week ordered Campbell Hall--the top-ranked team in Division V and the defending champion in Division V-AA--to forfeit eight victories for using an ineligible player.

Campbell Hall representatives had said Thursday that the decision probably would not be appealed. However, in a press release Friday, the school reconsidered “after weighing the choices available to the school and in consideration of what is best for the students and players. . . .”

A section investigation determined that junior forward Rowan Pearson, a transfer from Granada Hills High, had not moved with his family to the address the family supplied Campbell Hall.

Under state rules, a player who transfers must change residences or be granted a hardship waiver in order to gain varsity eligibility. Pearson reportedly was not living at the new address, and a visit by section administrators to the first address determined that the family had not moved out.

The section also confirmed that Pearson sought and was denied two separate hardship appeals on Nov. 3 and Oct. 28.

Unless the appeal prompts a reversal, Campbell Hall will forfeit eight victories in which Pearson participated, including six in Delphic League play, and the team’s record will fall to 5-16, 3-7 in league play.

Campbell Hall’s chances of advancing to postseason play appear slim because the team might not earn an automatic playoff berth by finishing among the top four teams in Delphic play nor have the required 10 victories necessary to petition for an at-large entry. Campbell Hall has league games remaining next week with Faith Baptist (11-10, 4-5) and first-place Crossroads (9-0 in league play).

Pearson is the team’s third-leading scorer with a 10.6 average and is the second-leading rebounder at 5.8.

The committee conceivably could rule Pearson ineligible for one calendar year from the final disposition date of his case, which would sideline him for much of the 1993-94 season. As it stands, Pearson is expected to regain eligibility in 1993-94.