Diamond Ranch Girls Basketball Edged Out for CIF State Selection

After heated controversy over a semi-final loss, the Diamond Ranch girls basketball squad had fingers crossed for an at-large spot in CIF state competition. But it was not to be.

Before the state brackets were announced Sunday, Cayer said Diamond Ranch was hopeful about its chances for state play, but Cayer was not expecting two teams from Division IV to enter consideration for the Division III at-large spot.

"I think in the course of your season, you don't look over your shoulder," Cayer said, "you try to make your own path with your own team where you're at — you don't look at who you're going to knock out for a bid to the playoffs and it's not a conscious thought when you're a acoach or an athletic administrator."

Chaminade Prep, ranked 54 in the state, and Rosary High, ranked 68, were added to the mix for the Division III spot based on the school's overall enrollment, which climbed over the mark of 1250 last fall, placing both Division IV schools in the Division III bracket for this year's state competition.

"It was sad for us when we were looking at our state invitation chances," Cayer said. "But this year was still feather in the girls' cap. They had a great season."

Cayer had expected that Sonora, ranked 81 statewide, would be the primary competion for the Diamond Ranch girls, granting the Panthers the second at-large position. But Diamond Ranch, ranked 105, was edged out along with Rosary, leaving Sonora and Chaminade moving on in CIF competition.

Cayer said the configuration of the final state bracket proved just how pivotal the Panthers contested semi-final game against Serra was in earning the team a guaranteed state spot. In the semi-final game, Diamond Ranch after allegedly fouling out.

Cayer said that Diamond Ranch will more strongly consider the full range of factors that go into determining state contestants next season. The list of criteria includes the level of comeptition a team faces during their regular season and success in tournaments, both categories that Cayer said could be improved upon next year.

However, as school budgets and personal budgets continue to be tightened, Cayer said, the travel required to build a varied and challenging schedule can become impractical and tournaments that once drew teams from across the region are seeing fewer teams signed up.