Thursday, February 19, 2009

Where are we headed ? [Updated 21 Feb]

[Scroll Down for Playoff Updates]

A Quick (?) Review of Releaguing

"Wait, I thought all this was settled.", you say. Well, to quote Lee Corso - "Not so fast my friend". Decisions recently made in Ventura County may throw the whole process into the spin cycle.

First, a few reminders.

CIF is made up of 10 sections, and Lompoc is located in the largest of them - Southern Section. Schools within the section are grouped into nine, mostly geographical, areas. Ours is the Northern Area which essentially consists of schools in San Luis Obisbo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties.

Southern Section governance is controlled by the Southern Section Council. The Council is a large group primarily consisting of Representatives from each league, and they meet 3-4 times each year.

In between meetings, CIF is controlled by the Council Executive Committee, a group of 20-25 representing various factions, areas, and interests.

For releaguing purposes, there is also a "Releaguing Committee" established during the quadrennial reshuffle that reports to the Executive Committee. This group co-ordinates the work of "Area Releaguing Chairpersons" who hold meetings of area Principals, AD's, etc. in an attempt to reach a consensus.

So what happened, already ?

The local plan moving St. Joseph to the PAC-7 from the LPL, which the Knights weren't thrilled about, and moved Lompoc football back to the LPL, is part of the overall Northern Area plan. And at the Northern Area meeting earlier this month 14 proposals were considered, but the one receiving the most votes (31-23) kicked off a massive controversy. The new "official" plan created a new football-only four team league consisting of powerhouses St. Bonaventure (Ventura) & Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) along with designated patsies Santa Clara (Oxnard) and Grace Brethren (Simi Valley).

While both of the latter schools have had some recent success on the gridiron, they are no match for two of the best in the country -- and they plan to appeal. Even 'St Bonny' and 'Oaks' are unhappy and plan to appeal. The Marmonte League put the kibosh on a plan to swap Oaks Christian (for Calabasas) with the Tri-Valley League, and would appeal any attempt to saddle them with either of behemoths. The proposal also reinvigorated the 'church school'/'public school' playoff system debate from last year.

What is in the cards ?

Did you notice the number of times the word 'appeal' was used ? Did you also notice how many different organisational levels have to be cleared for a plan to be approved ? The whole affair has basically been dumped in the laps of the Executive Committee to accept a very contentious plan or establish a new one by fiat. If that happens, the entire Northern Area is subject to redistribution. Either way, possible appeals could stretch until the October meeting of the full Council -- and somebody is likely to be very unhappy. -- el stato

Playoff Updates

Results
Tuesday, 17 Feb
Girls Soccer [ Div IV - Wild Card]: The Cabrillo team fell 2-1 at home to La Salle. The girls took a 1-0 lead early in the 2nd half on a Stephanie Miranda goal, but surrendered two late goals to the Lancers.
Story

Wednesday, 18 Feb
Soccer [Division III - Wild Card] :
The Lompoc Boys stormed out to a 3-0 lead, and held on to defeat the Golden Valley Grizzlies 3-2 at Huyck Stadium. As a 'reward' they get to travel to Orange County on Friday to face the #1 seed in Div III - Anaheim (19-2-3). In Valencia Cabrillo lost 4-1 to the Grizz's fellow Foothill League members West Ranch [Valencia].
Story

Boys Basketball [Div IV-AA]: On Bryan Ayer Court in Paisola Pavilion, the Lompoc squad (18-9) out-scored the visiting troop from South Pasadena 9-6 in overtime to pull out a 54-51 Division IV-AA first round victory. Next up is a Friday contest with Compton Centennial (who won 68-41 over Gladstone. A Thursday coinflip will decide the location. The Braves were the only one of the seven LPL teams to advance.
Story
Meanwhile, Cabrillo fell 51-43 at Atascadero. The Greyhounds (19-7) took a 22-10 first quarter lead and the Conqs couldn't catch up. Cabrillo’s David Terrones had 19 points to lead all scorers. The Conqs received an at-large berth into the playoffs, despite finishing tied for last (3-9) in the Los Padres League.
More Info

Thursday, 19 Feb
Girls Soccer: 1st Round Action - More Info
Lompoc lost 4-1 @ California. Elicity Fabing had the lone goal for the Braves.


Girls Water Polo: 1st Round Action - More Info Story
#4 Cabrillo squashed the San Luis Obispo Tigers 18-5 at the COLAC.

Girls Basketball: 1st Round Action - More Info
Ashley Bonenfant had 9 points for the Conqs as Cabrillo fell 44-35 @ #9 San Luis Obispo.

Friday, 20 Feb

Wrestling: The top 3 placers in each weight class from the LPL Finals are slated to grapple in the Divisional Final at Whittier HS on Friday & Saturday
. More Info

Boys Basketball: 2nd Round Action - More Info
#11 Lompoc @ #8 Centennial [Compton]. The Apaches rolled the Braves 68-38 on the road.

Boys Soccer: 1st Round Action - More Info
Lompoc @ #1 Anaheim . Lost 2-1
The Braves took a first half lead when Topo Anguiano found Uzzy Mora open for a goal, but they surrendered two second half goals, including a 70th minute penalty, to top-rated Anaheim.

Girls Water Polo[Div I]:
Dos Pueblos (26-3) stormed past LB Wilson 10-6, giving up two last minute goals after clearing the bench. Their Simi-Final opponent will be the usual suspects - Newport Harbor (10-0 winners over Mater Dei).

Upcoming Events

Saturday, 21 Feb

Wrestling: The top 3 placers in each weight class from the LPL Finals are slated to continue grappling in the Divisional Final at Whittier HS on Saturday. More Info

Girls Water Polo:
Cabrillo @ South Pasadena (def Pasadena 12-5)

Girls Basketball:
St Joseph [V AA #1 ] @ Cavalry Chapel [SA]
Morro Bay [IV A #9 ] @ Twentynine Palms
SLO [IV AA #9 ] @ Yucca Valley (50-26 Burroughs)
Atascadero [IV AA #10 ] vs Centennial [Compton]
Santa Barbara [II A #12] @ Villa Park (69-32 over Simi Valley)
Bishop Diego [V A #7 ] @ Aquinas

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