Basketball Denied 2nd-Consecutive State-Title Shot

For the 2nd consecutive year, the varsity boys’ basketball team advanced to the State Championship game. However, the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) canceled all of the remaining CIF games due to the COVID-19 pandemic after a meeting of its leadership on March 12. 

The Cougars earned their place in the state title came winning the NorCal tournament championship game against De La Salle on March 10. 

According to the CIF, there will be no championship title awarded this year, simply 1 NorCal champion (Campolindo) and 1 SoCal champion (Sierra Canyon School of Chatsworth, CA).  

“It is too bad but there is really nothing we can do about it,” said head coach Steven Dyer. “It is really sad and unfortunate for our guys but I understand the decision made by CIF. People’s lives come first.”

According to junior Chase Bennet, “We knew that the games could be canceled from the day of the NorCal semifinals because teams such as Sheldon and Riordan were forced to withdraw from the playoffs. We started to realize that our game would likely be canceled as soon as the NBA suspended its season.”

While the cancelation of its final game was disappointing, the team was proud to have advanced to the state finals after winning the state title last season.

“Going to State 2 years in a row is a great accomplishment. Hopefully, we can make it 3 years in a row, but that is extremely difficult,” said junior Emmanuel Callas.