Section Denies Second Appeal by Pacifica

Southern Section Commissioner James Staunton has denied a second appeal by Pacifica High that sought to restore a boys’ basketball player’s eligibility.

Pacifica, now 5-20 overall and 2-9 in league, forfeited 10 victories for using the ineligible player. Staunton said the player, a key reserve, transferred from Esperanza to Pacifica and “never established residential eligibility.”

Staunton said the player relocated to the Pacifica district with his mother, but his eligibility remained at Esperanza.

“When you go from school A to school B, you have to transfer guardianship by court order,” Staunton said. “That was never done. It’s a very unfortunate incident.”

Pacifica Principal John Johnson could not be reached for comment.