Compton Centennial Penalized

Another boys’ basketball program in the Compton Unified School District is in the midst of turmoil this week after the Southern Section forced Compton Centennial to forfeit 11 games for using an ineligible player.

Tony Key, a standout 6-foot-11 center who transferred to Centennial from Kentucky, was ruled ineligible because required paperwork was not submitted to document the move and he was living with someone who was not his legal guardian, said Thom Simmons, spokesman for the Southern Section.

Centennial has had multiple transfers in the last two years under Coach Rod Palmer. Last season, the Apaches forfeited five games for using ineligible players but still advanced to the Division III finals where they lost to eventual state champion Torrance Bishop Montgomery.

When Palmer was coach at Compton High in 1996-97, his team forfeited more than 20 games for using an ineligible player.

Todd Irving, Centennial’s principal, said he will meet with Southern Section Commissioner Jim Staunton on Friday to discuss ways to improve the school’s administrative procedures. Irving said he was not concerned about the school’s image as a transfer haven.

“You have kids transfer to schools all the time for baseball, tennis and swimming--basketball is such a high-profile sport, it stands out,” Irving said. “Our main concern is that whoever transfers to Centennial does the proper paperwork.”

The forfeits dropped Centennial’s record to 8-14 with three games left in the regular season. A team must win 11 games to be eligible to petition for inclusion in the playoffs.

In November, Compton Dominguez Coach Russell Otis was arrested on charges that he groped, sodomized and performed oral sex on a 17-year-old senior who was expected to play on this season’s team. Otis has been on unpaid leave from his job since his arrest. His trial is scheduled to begin in March.

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The Bell Gardens girls’ water polo team, which has not lost since the sport became sanctioned in 1998-99, will put its 79-game winning streak on the line today when the Lancers begin play in the 32-team Irvine Southern California Championships.

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A college preparation seminar for high school athletes and parents will be held Saturday, Feb. 10, from 2-4 p.m. at Diamond Bar High.

The event is also open to coaches and teachers. Admission is free.

Information: (909) 396-5035.