Decision Due on Divisions

The Southern Section will decide today at a council meeting whether to increase the number of boys’ and girls’ basketball playoff divisions to alleviate inequities in the number of teams competing in each division.

There are a large number of teams competing in Divisions I-AA and I-A, for example, but relatively few in Division V-A. The proposed increase would possibly add a Division I-AAA.

Other proposals to be considered at the council meeting, which begins at 9 a.m. at The Grand in Long Beach, seek to:

* Require three-person crews to officiate boys’ and girls’ basketball playoff games beginning with the regional round of the state tournament. Two-person crews are used now unless the host school requests and pays for a third official.

* Allow more than one wrestler from the section in each weight class to compete in the state tournament beginning this school year.

* Create a coaches box to keep boys’ and girls’ basketball coaches in a designated area during games, and hold mandatory pregame meetings for team captains, coaches, administrators and game officials to set rules for proper sportsmanship.