CIF State office says winter sports calendar is ‘flexible’, but on ‘wait and see’ plan

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Moorpark High school boys basketball coach Ryan Moore doesn’t know when his team will play its next league game. The Musketeers played Simi Valley Wednesday night, but Friday’s game against Camarillo was postponed due to COVID-19 protocols in the Scorpions’ program.

Next week’s game against Royal High Wednesday is off and Jan. 14’s game against Oak Park is in question after the Eagles just postponed its game with Simi Valley due to COVID-19 protocols in their program.

“I’d like to see the CIF take a two-week pause and back up the date of the last possible contest,” Moore said. “Adjust the playoff schedule. This random rescheduling does no one any good. The integrity of a league schedule is important.”

Moorpark has played just one league game, and that might not change until Jan. 21.

The CIF State office recently allowed for Sundays to be used to make up games, which can help, but with the last allowable contest for the regular season set at Feb. 5 (for now) and more teams dropping due to the impact of COVID-19, time is running out. Coaches are hoping the CIF can make changes that will allow more time to complete a full league schedule.

“We are continuing to monitor this ever-changing situation taking place throughout our entire section footprint,” CIF Southern Section Assistant Commissioner Thom Simmons said. “The end dates for our Winter Sports calendars are heavily influenced by the CIF Southern Regional Championships and CIF State Championships that are scheduled. Any discussions on adjusting section calendars will have to include the CIF State Office and the other Section Offices and I am sure as developments warrant, there will be discussions in the time ahead on potential options going forward.”

Said the CIF State office spokesperson: “We remain flexible. Things could change. We’ll wait and see. We want the most participation as possible. If we pause for two weeks, then a team is impacted by COVID-19 after the pause, that will keep them away from competition for even longer.”

Harvard-Westlake boys basketball coach David Rebibo says he worries every time his phone rings.

“My athletic director called me this morning and I automatically think, ‘Here it is, game is off,’” Rebibo said Friday morning before the Wolverines’ game with Mission League foe Notre Dame. “The other challenge we’re facing is trying to find games when other teams drop out. Not everyone wants to play us.”

As of Friday, boys and girls basketball games in the Mission, Foothill, Marmonte, Coastal Canyon and West Valley League have had multiple postponements.