Grade Mix-Up Throws Scare Into McNulty

Forgive Mike McNulty, El Camino Real High’s walk-on boys’ basketball coach, if he felt trod upon. Bad news in the morning can ruin anybody’s day.

Tuesday morning, when many area City Section schools finalized their first-semester grades, McNulty thought he had lost his two scoring leaders. Later, when it was learned that both players were indeed eligible, his spirits were considerably higher.

“I’m really relieved,” McNulty said.

McNulty first was told that Clyde Price and Markee Brown--who average 14.4 and 13.6 points a game--were ineligible. It later was determined that, because of a clerical error, Brown had been credited with a D grade in a course in which he had earned a B. Price mistakely had been given a B instead of an A, McNulty said.

Yet the news was not as good throughout the remainder of the West Valley League. Chatsworth (6-11, 3-5 in league play), which is tied with El Camino Real (10-8, 3-5) in second place with two games left, lost starting point guard Eric Isaac. Isaac, a junior, was averaging seven points and four assists. Chatsworth also lost backup center Brady Mertes.

First-place Reseda (10-8, 5-3) lost Bennie Scott, a senior reserve who was averaging five points a game.

Players are required to maintain a grade-point average of 2.0 to remain eligible.

In the 3-A Division, which includes the West Valley, the first- and second-place teams from each league advance to the playoffs, which begin Feb. 15. All 16 4-A teams automatically qualify.

Van Nuys (9-10, 5-3), which is tied with North Hollywood for the Mid-Valley League lead, could lose one starter and a top reserve. Van Nuys Coach Ken Lee said grades will be finalized Thursday. Coaches from other Valley Pac-8 Conference schools in playoff contention said they did not expect to lose any impact players.

Eligibility at area 4-A schools Kennedy, Taft, Granada Hills and Cleveland is expected to be determined today.