Boys’ basketball: Muir won’t be in Southern Section playoffs

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Pasadena Muir, which finished the regular season 24-2 and 13-1 in the Pacific League, has been forced to forfeit 20 victories because of an ineligible player, Southern Section spokesman Thom Simmons said Sunday.

The Pacific League resubmitted its teams for the playoffs, and Muir was not included. That means the Mustangs won’t be participating in the 4AA playoffs.

The Mustangs were expected to be one of the few public-school contenders in Division 4AA.

Here’s a statement from Muir Principal Sheryl Orange:

‘The John Muir High School boys basketball team will be forfeiting the majority of its games from the 2011-12 season and will be ineligible for the CIF playoffs because of the use of an ineligible player.

‘After being alerted by CIF, Muir administration investigated and determined that a player on the boys basketball team was not eligible to play because a valid change of residence could not be sufficiently established. Out of an abundance of caution, Muir decided to forfeit the games.

‘Athletics are a privilege, not a right at Muir. By making this difficult decision, we are trying to show our staff and students that Mustangs must maintain integrity to preserve the history and tradition of John Muir High School.’

-- Eric Sondheimer