CIF OKs playoffs for some sports
There was good news and bad news announced Wednesday for high school athletes waiting to see if the CIF would approve regional and state playoffs for spring sports because of COVID-19 restrictions.
There will be Southern California regional playoffs for soccer, tennis, baseball, basketball, softball, boys’ volleyball and golf.
There will be no state championships in track and field, swimming and diving, basketball and wrestling for the second consecutive year because of travel issues and the fact Northern California sections won’t be holding regional playoffs. Only two of the six Northern California sections are having playoffs.
Section playoffs in various sports end in late May and early June, with regional competitions extending through late June.
By approving regional playoffs in Southern California, the CIF will be putting pressure on individual players to make a decision whether to play for their high school or travel teams, because competitions in various sports are scheduled to take place in June.
Not having a state championship in track and field will make the Arcadia Invitational on May 8 at Arcadia High the unofficial state championship meet with many of the state’s top competitors competing.
Kevin Love apologized for his on-court tantrum this week in a game against Toronto, the Cleveland Cavaliers forward saying his behavior was out of line and out of character — but that it had nothing to do with any frustration toward his teammates or coaches.
Late in the third quarter against Toronto, a frustrated Love, who was upset with the officials for some noncalls, angrily tapped the ball back into play on an inbounds pass. The loose ball was grabbed by the Raptors, who made a three-pointer and went on to win 112-96.
The NBA has fined Houston Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr. $50,000 for violating the league’s health and safety rules by visiting a strip club in Miami last week with teammate Sterling Brown, who was assaulted outside the establishment.
The league bars players from attending indoor social gatherings of 15 or more people or entering bars, lounges and clubs.
The Rockets were in Miami to play the Heat when the visit occurred April 19.
Guard D.J. Carton is leaving Marquette to pursue an NBA career, a move that means the Golden Eagles won’t return at least four of their top five scorers from this past season. Marquette also added former Oklahoma forward Kur Kuath.
Atlanta’s two biggest outdoor pro sports stadiums will allow 100% capacity at events beginning next month.
The Braves said they will return to normal capacity at 41,084-seat Truist Park beginning May 7, and 75,000seat Mercedes-Benz Stadium will return to full capacity beginning May 15 when Atlanta United hosts a Major League Soccer match against CF Montreal.
The NCAA Board of Governors gave President Mark Emmert a two-year contract extension through 2025.