Basketball Brackets: Computers vs. Coaches

In the world of basketball, computers are now calling the shots. The CIF San Diego Section recently unveiled its girls' basketball brackets, and the results have sparked some debate. Teams like Francis Parker, Mater Dei Catholic, and Cathedral Catholic secured top spots based on their records. However, La Jolla Country Day, with a solid record against these top teams, found itself seeded fifth. This has led some to question whether computers alone should decide the fate of teams. Back in the day, humans had a say in seeding. Coaches would gather, argue, and eventually agree on the brackets. It wasn't perfect, but it had a personal touch. Now, with MaxPreps. com doing the heavy lifting, the process is more efficient but lacks that human element. San Diego Section commissioner Joe Heinz isn't keen on changing the system, but he acknowledges that discussions could happen in the future.Forfeits have also played a role in this season's drama. Teams like Mission Hills and La Jolla Country Day won games by forfeit, but MaxPreps doesn't count these as wins or losses. This quirk in the system has left some teams feeling shortchanged. Meanwhile, Ramona's boys team had to forfeit a game due to playing too many matches, showing that rules can be tricky. On the boys' side, the Open Division is packed with strong teams, all boasting at least 19 wins. Divisions 1 through 5-AA have a mix of winners and losers, with some divisions having more losing teams than others. The road to the Southern California Regionals is paved with different rules for each division, adding another layer of complexity to the postseason. The San Diego Section will send 18 teams from both boys and girls brackets to the regionals. The Open Division teams all get a shot, while other divisions have varying rules for advancement. League champions still get a playoff berth, but they're not guaranteed a home game. And if a team doesn't play enough games, they're out of luck, as seen with San Pasqual Academy and others.