Southern Section to Be Briefed on CIF Plan

Commissioner Jim Staunton is expected to brief Southern Section Council members about the progress of a controversial statewide marketing proposal that could restrict the section’s ability to raise revenue, when they meet at 9 a.m. Thursday at The Grand in Long Beach.

The California Interscholastic Federation, which operates its statewide marketing campaign out of its Oakland headquarters, would like to see marketing by the state’s 10 sections more firmly under its control.

It had intended to bring a measure that would strengthen its sales grip to a vote of section representatives next spring. However, late last month, after meeting with Staunton, State Commissioner Marie Ishida persuaded a state panel to hire a consultant to review the direction in which the state should go.

The Southern Section opposes the current proposal for a number of reasons, most notably because it would ban the section from selling its lucrative title sponsor, which generates about $160,000 annually.

The section made more than $500,000 in marketing and sales revenue last year and insists that it needs to maintain its strong, independent marketing strategy to sustain services and keep membership costs down.

-- Paul McLeod

Playing North Hollywood Campbell Hall did little to cure what ailed the Brentwood girls’ tennis team.

The Eagles lost, 16-2, to the Vikings on Friday in a rematch of last year’s Southern Section Division III title match, won by Brentwood, 8-2.

Brentwood Coach Michael Dirk wasn’t complaining after his short-handed team’s effort in the Olympic League match at Valley College.

“It wasn’t a complete blowout,” Dirk said. “We played them tough, and I was actually really proud of them.”

Brentwood played without top singles player Austin Hansen, who has missed the last two weeks with a lower-back problem. Shosana Rosenthal played through a sore shoulder and Jaren Boczan was playing in her second match since returning from a torn biceps muscle. Junior No. 2 doubles player Stephanie Marlis missed the match because she was on a previously planned, school-related trip.

Even at full strength, however, the Eagles (6-4, 3-1) might have had trouble matching up against Campbell Hall (11-0, 4-0), especially in singles. Daron Moore, Alli Krasnopolsky and Cheyenne Reveche have dominated opponents all season.

“I would put them up against my guys’ team,” Dirk said, only half-jokingly. “They’re solid.”

-- Lauren Peterson