Harkness: Officials Correct in Making Sylmar Forfeit Game

City Section Commissioner Hal Harkness said Thursday that officials acted correctly when they forced Sylmar High to forfeit an East Valley League basketball game Wednesday to Sherman Oaks CES.

Sylmar second-year Coach Larry Link was hit with three consecutive technical fouls and a subsequent ejection, which ended the game less than three minutes into the first quarter.

Under City rules, only one paid coach is recognized for each sport. If he/she is ejected, the game is forfeited under a City rule that is not recognized statewide.

Sylmar trailed, 12-2, when Link left the bench to dispute a foul call with 5 minutes 8 seconds left in the first quarter. Referee Joe Sanchez twice hit Link with technicals when Link pressed his argument. After Link was warned that he would be called for a third technical if he continued his protest, he asked for the third and Sanchez gave it to him.

Howard Asplund, assistant principal at Sylmar, is investigating the incident.

Sylmar (1-20, 0-11 in league play), which has lost 20 consecutive games since beating Verdugo Hills in its opener Nov. 26, will play host to Poly at 7 tonight in its season finale.