There would be state basketball playoffs this season and Morse liked its chances to represent the San Diego Section.
Ray Epton, whose 25.0 average at Madison in 1981-82 was highest in the San Diego Section, had transferred to the school on Skyline Drive, where Epton joined 6-foot, 7-inch preseason all-America Lawrence West, 6-6 Shawn Bell, and 5-11 Carl Fisher, plus a tall, deep supporting cast.
But an anonymous tip doomed the Tigers, costing them 20 forfeits and knocking Morse out of the San Diego Section playoffs.
Epton’s family, in changing residences, moved to a home that, as it turned out, was beyond Morse’s enrollment boundary.
Tigers athletic director John Shacklett said an investigation established that Epton lived on the Mount Miguel side of a street that separates the Morse and Mount Miguel districts.
Morse officials either did not check the address or were unaware of the boundary.
Eastern League representatives, acting on the late-coming information, voted 3-2 to oust the Tigers.
Someone had ratted out the Tigers to the CIF San Diego Section not long after playoff seedings were published, creating a storm of emotion.
But…
After some shouting, pointed fingers, and foot stomping, the Tigers were let back in the door.
The issue went all the way to the office of City Schools big shots.
EX-BASKETBALL COACH
Dick Jackson, a former basketball player at San Diego High and coach when Crawford began its program in 1957-58, made the decision.
“Taking in all the facts and looking at our options we came to the conclusion that was the fairest way to handle this,” Jackson told Steve Brand of The San Diego Union.
“I’m not entirely comfortable about this because I’m not entirely comfortable about the whole thing,” said Jackson. “However, I think it is the best decision considering all aspects.”
Jackson pointed out that the playoff time line was critical. Four games already had been played, four more were scheduled that night, and the Epton family had sought a court injunction.
Madison, the team Epton had left, became the Tigers’ first-round opponent. “It’s not fair,” said Warhawks coach John Hannon. “We forfeited an entire football season a few years ago and no one came to our defense.”
ANOTHER DREADED ADMINISTRATIVE GLITCH
Lincoln was 12-2 and gearing for the stretch run when it was discovered that Hornets Arthur Hamilton and Charisse Jones had unexpectedly exhausted their eligibility.
Lincoln then forfeited 12 victories, including a 76-73, double-overtime victory over Morse….
