PREPNET / SPEAK OUT

Does the Southern Section’s 11-win rule (a team with 11 victories can petition for a playoff berth, no matter where it finishes in league) cheapen the boys’ and girls’ basketball playoffs?

*

LINDSEY GALASSO

El Modena, Basketball

It’s a good rule because it gives a team that may not have finished first, second or third in its league a chance to go to the playoffs. We had a really tough league and came in fourth, but there are some first-place teams that don’t have as good a team as we do.

*

CHARLIE ALSHULER

Corona del Mar, Basketball

It helps teams that aren’t so strong. But it allows too many teams to get in the playoffs. Last year, we had 20 wins and didn’t need it. This year, we’re right on the border with 11 wins. But since it doesn’t matter where you finish in league, it kind of takes away from league play.

*

MARIAH MENDOZA

Magnolia, Basketball

Some teams go into easy tournaments just to get their 11 wins so they can make the playoffs, and other teams go into hard tournaments to better themselves. We went to some tough tournaments to better our team. It’s a decent rule, pretty fair. You have at least 20 games, and you should win at least half of them. There are teams in tough leagues that are really good, but they don’t have a chance to go to the playoffs unless there’s some other way, which is the 11 wins.

*

TASHAAN FOREHAN-KELLY

Woodbridge, Basketball

I think it might [cheapen the playoffs]. Eleven wins isn’t much, and whether you get in should depend on your competition. You could play 11 weak teams and get 11 victories easily. I don’t think that 11 is enough; it should be more like 15.

*

STEVE CRENSHAW

Estancia, Boys’ Soccer coach

It does [cheapen the playoffs]. I think you need to flat-out come out and earn it. And I don’t know that 11 wins will necessarily always earn it. We don’t have a criteria like that [in soccer] and I hope they don’t ever do something like that.

NEXT QUESTION

How does the taunting, posturing and celebrating seen in such made-for-TV sports as the XFL affect sportsmanship at the high-school level?