Coast Christian Withdraws From Prep Playoffs After Fight

Coast Christian High of Redondo Beach withdrew Tuesday from the Southern Section boys’ basketball playoffs because of its involvement in a postgame fight last Saturday in which an opposing coach suffered a broken hand.

The incident occurred after Antelope Valley Christian had defeated Coast Christian in overtime, 75-70, in a Heritage League game at Viewpoint High in Calabasas. Antelope Valley Christian Coach Steve Cieslik said he was thrown to the ground by several Coast Christian players as his team boarded its bus.

“I turned around, and the next thing I know I was flying to the ground,” Cieslik said. “I put my hand down to break my fall. I think that’s how I broke it. I got up and they threw me down again.”

Cieslik said Coast Christian players also threw rocks at Antelope Valley Christian’s bus, breaking windows on both sides. Cieslik said no one on the bus was injured.

Stan Thomas, Southern Section commissioner, said he reviewed the incident Monday night with administrators from Heritage League schools. He said he was pleased that Coast Christian decided to forfeit its first-round Division V-A playoff game Friday night against South Bay Lutheran of Inglewood before action was taken against the school.

South Bay Lutheran automatically advances to the second round.

Coast Christian Coach Randy Robinson, who also is the school’s principal, declined to discuss details of the incident. He said one of his players probably would be suspended from school.

Robinson, who was ejected from the game in the third quarter after drawing three technical fouls, said he was in the gym immediately after the game and did not witness the incident.