At-Large Entries for Boys’ Basketball Playoffs Will Be Limited

At-large entries for the boys’ basketball playoffs will be limited in most of the 10 divisions, according to Dean Crowley, Southern Section associate commissioner.

Crowley estimates there will be only two to six openings in each division for teams that fail to finish in the top half of their leagues.

“Some teams won’t get in,” said Crowley. This may come as a surprise to some coaches who think 10 or more victories guarantee entry into the playoffs.

“There will be openings in every division, but I think there’s going to be very few openings in Division I-A and in Divisions V-AA and V-A,” Crowley said. “I think an educated guess would be 35 to 40 openings in the 10 divisions for at-large bids.”

Schools hoping to be considered for an at-large berth must submit a petition to the Southern Section office no later than 10 a.m. Saturday. The section had received 16 petitions as of Thursday.

A selection committee will categorize all entries based on the following: 1) head-to-head competition of teams under consideration; 2) strength of league; 3) won-loss record; 4) league finish; 5) strength against common opponents; 6) strength at the end of the season.

The committee will be composed of one member of the section’s executive committee, one administrator, one member of the section’s coaches’ advisory committee and two at-large coaches.

Crowley anticipates 32-team brackets for all divisions with the exception of III-AA and III-A, which will have 16-team brackets.

Last year, 327 boys’ teams were granted entry into the playoffs under a come-one, come-all format.

But last month, league representatives voted to restrict playoff entry to teams that finish among the top 50% of their leagues and then allow a limited number of at-large entries to fill the brackets. A team must have won at least 10 games to be considered for an at-large berth.

This year, section officials expect about 288 boys’ teams to compete in the playoffs, 39 fewer than last year.

Crowley also said sites have been finalized for all championship events. The Division I-A and I-AA finals are scheduled for Saturday, March 6, at the Los Angeles Sports Arena. The Division II-AA and II-A finals will be Friday, March 5, at the Bren Center.

The Division III-AA and III-A finals are scheduled for Friday, March 5, at Cal Poly Pomona. All other divisional finals will be at alternate court sites.

The girls’ championship games in Division I, II and III will be Saturday, March 6, at Loyola Marymount. All other divisional finals will be at alternate court sites.