PREPNET / SPEAK OUT

The Southern Section uses enrollment to determine playoff groupings in nine sports, but in past years a school has been able to choose to compete in a larger division. Do you agree with the section’s recent decision to ban that practice?

KENDAL BILLINGSLEY

Mission Viejo, Soccer

I don’t agree with the new ruling. In some sports, there are 10 divisions of CIF which means that there are teams winning championships that are not really championship teams. I think that if a school has a really strong team, they should be allowed to move up and play with the better competition.

BRANDON ESPINOSA

Mater Dei, Baseball

I think if the school wants to move up, they should be able to if they think they have the talent to compete against the higher caliber schools. I could see Mater Dei moving up because I know its basketball team is really good. If teams want to move up it should be their choice. I think it’s OK.

MIKE FORD

Los Alamitos, Teacher, Westminster Coach

It’s ridiculous. No large school needs that kind of protection, and small schools that can play at that level should be allowed to compete with the best. Why should Laguna Beach volleyball be down in Division IV? They’re that good, and if you’re that good, your kids are serious about competing.

DAN GLENN

Newport Harbor, Teacher, Volleyball Coach

Instead of the self-serving Sunset League proposal that was just passed, here are two solutions for the playoffs that would be fair to everyone. For sports that have a state championship, there should be an open division to determine the best team in the state. A 64-team bracket would work and be extremely exciting (just like March Madness). Any team that qualified for the CIF playoffs and did not want to compete in this division (i.e. Los Alamitos) could play in the enrollment-based Divisions II thru V for divisional championships (just like the NIT). In sports that do not have a state championship, leagues would be put into five divisions based on competitive equity. If a team won two consecutive CIF championships, its league would be moved up to the next division. Divisions would be readjusted when leagues are realigned. This is actually the system that we used before enrollment-based playoffs and it worked great.

J.T. CAMERON

Fairmont, Athletic Director

There are some cases where a school may attract or be located in a hotbed for a particular sport and fields teams that will be able to compete at a higher level. This is good for their exposure, and for the enrollment level they are supposed to be in because they will not get rolled over.

BRAM GOVAARS

Newport Harbor, Volleyball Parent

Preparation for life is the most important aspect of attending high school, whether it be for the working world or a higher level of education. The message that is being sent to our students by this recent vote is a misguided one. By not allowing our most talented athletes the opportunity to strive to be the best, we are cheating not only our best athletes but all the other athletes even more. There will always be someone better in all fields of life’s encounters, and this is an important lesson to learn early.

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