SAN DIEGO — The CIF-San Diego Section office Wednesday postponed once again all games that require travel to and from Imperial County.
“Unfortunately, the poor weather conditions in our local mountains have not improved as of (Wednesday) morning. Highway 8 was closed until 10 (Wednesday morning) and (California Highway Patrol is) now ‘escorting’ vehicles across the mountains approximately five at a time,” stated an email CIF-SDS Commissioner Jerry Schniepp sent Wednesday morning to all Imperial County schools affected by the decision.
“The expected weather conditions for (Wednesday evening), when teams would be returning from games, are freezing temperatures with a threat of ice. There is also several inches of snow in the mountains.
“Therefore, we still do not believe that schools should be traveling to or from the Imperial Valley for CIF playoff contests. As a result, we are once again postponing all games requiring travel to or from the Imperial Valley. Also included in the postponements are Warner High and Julian High,” said Schniepp’s email.
The email also stated that all games that were originally scheduled for Tuesday — girls’ basketball and soccer — will have the quarterfinal rounds moved from Friday to Saturday to give teams an extra day of rest. However, teams also have the option of playing back-to-back days if both teams are in accordance.
One of those teams that would like to play Friday, should they win tonight, is the Imperial Valley League champion Southwest High girls’ basketball team.
The No. 8 Eagles have already contacted No. 1 Serra High and asked if they could play Friday as originally scheduled, should they beat No. 9 Bonita Christian High tonight.
“It’s definitely a very antsy situation,” Southwest head coach Jon Hinshaw said of having their game postponed twice. “I don’t think it’s a frustrating situation but the girls are definitely ready to play.”
The postponements have caused his team to have to change mind-set twice.
“We have to put two practices together where the girls were anticipating a game,” he said.
In girls’ soccer, IVL champion Central Union High has also had to put practices together these past couple of days.
“I know safety comes first for the kids, my concerns are as well as that of CIF,” Central head coach Ramon Lopez said. “I think we’re anxious ’cause it’s two days already but then again, God only knows why things happen.”
For boys’ basketball and soccer, the quarterfinal round will remain the same, which was already set for Saturday.
All of Imperial County school officials affected by the change have verified that the times and locations remain the same, just moved to today, except for the Central Union High boys’ basketball team.
The No. 12 Spartans were originally set to play at No. 5 San Dieguito Academy on Wednesday. The site of the game was changed to Central, at 7 tonight.
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