Campbell Hall to Appeal to CIF on Forfeits : Boys’ basketball: State commissioner will rule whether Southern Section acted properly in applying sanctions.

The Campbell Hall High boys’ basketball team, ordered by the Southern Section to forfeit eight victories, will appeal the decision to the California Interscholastic Federation commissioner, a school official said Thursday.

It will mark the second and final appeal available for Campbell Hall, which lost an appeal Wednesday before a section panel.

Campbell Hall, the defending section champion in Division V-AA, was punished for using an ineligible player, junior forward Rowan Pearson, whose family was ruled to have violated a state rule regarding dual residency.

“We feel we did everything in our power to verify his eligibility,” said Carol Heyes, a school spokeswoman.

It is uncertain when the issue will be reviewed. State Commissioner Tom Byrnes said Thursday afternoon that he was unfamiliar with the case and had not received documentation on the matter.

Section playoff brackets will be issued Sunday. If Campbell Hall’s forfeits stand, including six wins in Delphic League play, the Vikings will not qualify for the playoffs. With the forfeits, Campbell Hall’s record dropped to 6-16.

Byrnes said his role will be to decide whether the section acted in a “responsible manner” and according to CIF operational guidelines. He said additional testimony is unlikely to be sought. Byrnes said he has overturned or sent back to a section for further review “one or two (appeals) cases out of 10.”

Heyes said the school is still exploring other options, which includes legal action. She also said the school has drafted a letter to Delphic administrators explaining the situation. Campbell Hall could be granted a playoff berth by a league vote, though Heyes said the school “would not actively solicit it.”