City Playoff Pairings May Be Tied in Knots

The City Championship playoffs are an exclusive affair, pitting the top 16 teams in a tournament to determine the best of the best.

At least that’s the intent.

It might work out much differently. Because all first-place teamsfrom the eight City Section leagues qualify--including those who tie for a title--the playoffs could be watered down.

All three Valley leagues could finish in a three-way tie for first place after regular-season finales tonight. So could one or more of the five non-Valley leagues.

“If too many leagues finish in a three-way tie, the seeding committee will scrap the current plan,” said Jeff Halpern, a City official. “But if only one or two leagues finish in first-place ties, I think those teams will get in.”

Even if the three-way tie is in the Sunset Six League, acknowledged as the Valley’s weakest. A victory by Canoga Park (5-4, 3-1) over North Hollywood (5-4, 4-0), coupled with a victory by Poly (5-4, 3-1) over Grant will result in a three-way tie. Although none of those teams are considered among the City’s top 16, all would make the playoffs.

Meanwhile, a stronger second-place finisher such as Granada Hills (7-2), Sylmar (6-3) or Kennedy (6-3) could be left out.

The second 16 teams qualify for the City Invitational tournament, which last season was won by Chatsworth.

“If strong second-place teams would be relegated to the invitational, that truly would be a fiasco,” Halpern said.

The City seeding committee, which includes a representative from each of the eight leagues plus a City official, will convene Saturday morning to fill the brackets.

Expect voices to be raised.