Purnell Will Be Back in Middle

Three prominent starters missed the final game of the regular season last week with various ailments. Results are mixed as to whether they’ll return for first-round playoff action tonight.

San Fernando High center Tyrone Purnell was held out of the Tiger’s 72-63 victory over Granada Hills because of illness. Purnell has practiced all week and will be ready for San Fernando’s City Section 3-A Division game against Venice.

North Hollywood center Jonathan Hicks twisted his ankle in practice the day before the Huskies beat Grant, 72-63, to earn a share of the East Valley League title.

North Hollywood Coach Rob Bloom said Hicks’ ankle is better, but he probably won’t play in a 4-A game against Los Angeles. Hicks’ backup, sophomore Eric Roller, played well against Grant, but has been bothered by an ear infection.

Grant guard Adir Levy suffered a broken nose last week and was unable to play against North Hollywood. Levy underwent surgery this week and practiced lightly. He received medical clearance and will play against Crenshaw tonight, said Grant Coach Howard Levine.

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North Hollywood will have to find a way to deal with Deon “Popeye” Green of Los Angeles, one of the most explosive scorers in the City Section. The Huskies, however, have plenty of recent experience because they’ve had to defend Gilbert Arenas of Grant twice in the past three weeks.

Green, a 6-foot-4 swingman who averages 29 points a game for the Romans, doesn’t handle the ball as much as Arenas but he may be a better finisher.

Bloom said North Hollywood might defend Green in a manner similar to the way the Huskies guarded Arenas, who they double-teamed when he had the ball, and covered with one man when he didn’t.

“We might try it but they’re a quick team,” Bloom said. “If we can get away with it, we’ll stick to the man-to-man or straight zone.”

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Levine has a suggestion for those who set guidelines for the City playoffs.

Some coaches from the Valley were upset with the seeding process. League champions from the Valley are routinely placed behind second and third-place teams from stronger conferences in the 4-A bracket.

Although welcoming the chance for the Lancers to play five-time defending City champion Crenshaw, Levine suggests a geography-based City tournament, culminating in a Final Four--one from each area of the City.

“Maybe the Valley would be a little weaker but so what,” Levine said. “It would generate a lot of interest in the Valley and the best team would ultimately win anyway.”

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Before Reseda steps onto the court to play Hamilton in its first-round 3-A game, the Regents have established themselves as the most improved team in the City.

Reseda was winless last season. This year, the Regents are 9-15 and finished tied for second with Poly in the Mid-Valley League, making the playoffs for the first time since joining the Valley Pac-8 Conference in 1994.

“It really means a lot for the seniors,” Coach Dave Enowitz said. “They’ve been through a lot and this is the reward.”

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Birmingham Coach Al Bennett is starting a crusade. He wants three officials at basketball games instead of two.

“[The officiating] is the worst I’ve ever seen it and I don’t think it’s their fault,” he said. “Because of the 35-second clock, there’s more management needed. What I think is happening is the game has changed and the one thing that hasn’t changed is the officiating.”

Officials, who are paid $43 per game, endorse the plan and so do some schools. Crespi paid for a third official several times this season, and the Foothill League will consider adding a third official next season.

“It’s preventive,” official Dennis Lockyer said. “You call less fouls [with three]. It makes a huge difference.”

Official Jon Lee joked, “It’s an extra guy to yell at.”

Staff writers Michael Lazarus and Eric Sondheimer contributed to this notes column.