South Torrance Suspends Coach for Pulling Team

South Torrance High girls basketball Coach Gil Ramirez was suspended by the school Thursday for the rest of the season for violating the Southern Section sportsmanship rule. Ramirez pulled his team off the court at halftime Wednesday with his team trailing Inglewood Morningside, 102-24.

Ramirez’s action prevented Morningside’s 6-foot-5 senior center Lisa Leslie, who scored 101 points in the first half, from breaking the national record of 105 points set by Cheryl Miller of Riverside Poly against Norte Vista in 1982.

South Torrance (3-17) completes the regular season this afternoon with an Ocean League game against visiting North Torrance. Assistant coach Ron Omoto will serve as coach, said South Torrance’s principal, Dr. John Schmitt.

Ramirez, who met with Schmitt and his players at school Thursday, refused to comment on his decision to remove his team at halftime. South Torrance was down to four players because two of the team’s seven players had fouled out in the first half and one could not play because of an injury, Schmitt said.

“We talked with the (Southern Section office) and we are forwarding an incident report,” Schmitt said. “We are also forwarding a letter of concern for them to react to. We are well aware of the (sportsmanship) rule. I think it needs some interpretation in this case.”

Lopsided Ocean League victories are common for Morningside, the defending State Division I champions. Morningside Coach Frank Scott said that Wednesday’s game was the first time he let the Monarchs (21-3) loose all season.

Times staff writer Lonnie White contributed to this story.