Boys’ basketball: Welcome to year-round basketball

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There has been year-round emphasis on basketball for years, but it is only since the Southern Section got rid of its Association rule that coaches were allowed to practice whenever they wanted.

And now the first real impact is being seen of doing whatever you want with a new 40-team tournament scheduled for Nov. 6-7 at Pasadena High just before what is supposed to be the official start of basketball practice. In fact, teams have been able to practice every day if they wished.

‘We haven’t stopped since the last game of last year,’ West Hills Chaminade Coach Todd Wolfson said. ‘I’ve given them a week off.’

Is it good that basketball players are going nonstop with games throughout the year? Are mult-sport athletes disappearing because of the year-round emphasis? Are players starting to tune out their head coach from overexposure?

These questions and others need to be answered as the offseason games and practices continue to increase.

As for playing games in early November, Wolfson said, ‘I’m using it to evaluate my guys and see where we’re at.’

There’s nothing wrong with hard work and trying to get better, but giving everyone a break also is important.

Among the teams entered at Pasadena are Upland, Palisades, Redondo, Pasadena Muir, Mission Hills Alemany, Woodland Hills El Camino Real, Los Angeles Washington, Westlake Village Oaks Christian, Newport Harbor Corona del Mar, North Hollywood Harvard-Westlake, Chatsworth Sierra Canyon and Ontario Colony. Games will be played in three guys and go from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Hey, it’s good for sportswriters and basketball fans to see who’s good in early November.

-- Eric Sondheimer