February 19, 2015

 

By Kenneth D. Miller 

Assistant Managing Editor 

 

The first ever Open Division for the Los Angeles City Section was designed for good reason, but the 8 teams selected and the order in which they were seeded left more questions than answers. 

The purpose is to prevent divisional first round blowouts against inferior competition and it is a good decision.

 

However, beyond Fairfax No. 1 the debate among City coaches is swirling in advance of quarterfinal games scheduled for Saturday February 21.

 

Dorsey (22-5) is the No. 2 seed ahead of Westchester which defeated Fairfax 50-49 for the only the nationally ranked Lions second loss of the season.

 

“We should be the No. 2 seed, “ said Westchester assistant coach Dewitt Cotton after the victory.

 

The Comets instead got a No. 3 seed and El Camino, a team that beat Westchester but also lost to Granada Hills in the season finale, was dropped to No. 5.

 

Regardless of what anyone says, Gardena with first year coach Ernie Carr deserved to be in the Open division based on its second place Marine League finish.

 

No. 8 Gardena will visit Fairfax; No. 5 El Camino Real meets No. 4 Narbonne, the dark horse to play in the final; No. 6 Crenshaw meets No. 3 Westchester and No. 7 Taft will play No. 2 Dorsey. Taft is a dangerous game for the Dons. The winner’s advance and the losers will also advance into a consolation bracket.

 

The semifinals will be played on Feb. 28 at Roybal in a doubleheader. The championship game is March 7 at Cal State Dominguez Hills.

 

"That's incredible," Fairfax Coach Harvey Kitani said upon learning that Dorsey was chosen No. 2 ahead of Westchester. "I'm in total disbelief."

 

Westchester is 19-11 and has played one of the toughest schedules. The Comets also shared the Western League championship with Fairfax. Dorsey is 22-5 and won the Coliseum League title. The Dons' best win might be a victory over Oak Park in early December.

 

Gardena is 21-7 and got moved to the Open Division ahead of Palisades and University. Gardena lost to No. 4 Narbonne, 83-51, on Wednesday.

 

Sports Editor Kenneth D. Miller has been chosen as public address for all Open Division semi final and championship games.

Category: Sports