Magnolia Forward Demetrius Maltie Is Ruled Ineligible

Demetrius Maltie, a starting forward at Magnolia High, has been declared academically ineligible and will miss the Southern Section II-A playoffs, Sentinel Coach Al Walin said Sunday.

Maltie became ineligible last Thursday, the day after Magnolia clinched its second Orange League title in six years with a 51-45 victory over Western. Maltie sat out last Friday night’s victory over Brea-Olinda.

Senior Lashawn Neal, who’s averaging eight points and four rebounds, will replace Maltie for Friday night’s first-round playoff game against Katella. Maltie was averaging 11 points and five rebounds.

Magnolia (16-7) received one of the division’s toughest first-round opponents in Katella (17-7). The Knights beat Magnolia, 78-43, in a nonleague game in December, but the Sentinels beat the Knights in a matchup last summer.