Prep column: Open debate

Barry Faulkner

Why settle for reform when a revolution is needed? That’s the

philosophy Newport Harbor High boys and girls volleyball coach Dan Glenn

embraced when formulating a counter proposal to the recently approved

plan prohibiting schools from playing in larger CIF Southern Section

playoff divisions.

Rather than simply lobby for an amendment to allow volleyball teams from

schools with smaller enrollments to compete in higher divisions, Glenn

will attempt to rally support behind a proposal which would affect every

sport with enrollment-based playoffs.

For sports with a state championship (most notably girls volleyball and

boys and girls basketball), Glenn suggests the formation of an Open

Division, to be comprised of up to 64 willing playoff qualifiers,

regardless of enrollment.

“Any team that qualified for CIF playoffs and did not want to compete in

this division, could play in enrollment-based divisions II through V for

a divisional championship,” Glenn said, adding Division II would be for

those schools with the highest enrollments.

In sports that do not play for a state championship, Glenn suggests

leagues be put into divisions based on competitive equity, similar to the

format used now in football, water polo, baseball and softball, among

others.

Under this plan, if a team won consecutive CIF championships, its league

would be moved up to the next division, with divisions to be adjusted

when leagues are reconfigured.

Glenn acknowledges there are abuses in the old system, in which boys and

girls basketball teams could pick and choose which higher division they

would play in.

He believes the formation of an Open Division, to be promoted and

recognized by the media as the premier competitive level, would create a

format whereby boys basketball teams from Mater Dei, Dominguez, Artesia

and Long Beach Poly would be placed in the same playoff bracket. Though

his plan does not require teams to play in the Open Division, Glenn

believes powerhouse teams would do so, rather than face criticism for

avoiding the highest level of competition.

While he is realistic about the difficulty in generating widespread

support for his plan, Glenn believes it will, at the very least, initiate

discussion about playoff reform.

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Reform is a also a theme on the Costa Mesa High football staff, where Tom

Baldwin will shift from coordinating the defense to running the offense.

Baldwin replaces former Mustang quarterback Mike Crowe, who resigned

recently to devote more time to his family.

Matt Kellogg, who tutored running backs, defensive backs and was the

junior varsity head coach last fall, will become defensive coordinator.

Kent Paul, a longtime teacher at Mesa who has coached at several high

schools, will join the staff. He will work with the secondary and

co-coach the junior varsity.

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Estancia High football coach Dave Perkins reports former Eagles Shane

McGuire and Andre Dew have returned to the school and should contribute

as seniors next fall.

McGuire, heralded after an outstanding season for the freshmen team in

1997, is projected to help out at running back and in the secondary.

Perkins said Dew should fit in somewhere in the secondary.

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Still more honors for Newport Harbor fall-sport standouts have come

forth.

o7 All-Stater Sportsf7 , a magazine focusing on prep sports, recognized

Sailor girls volleyball standouts April Ross and Krista Dill on its Class

of 2000 Super 75.

The list, comprised of the top players throughout the nation, was

selected by Bill Feldman, editor of American Volleyball Scouting Report.

Feldman also identifies Harbor’s Heather Cullen as one of 10 juniors to

watch.

The publication also recognized Newport senior offensive tackle Blair

Jones on its 22-player Dream Team from the West region.