Boys’ basketball: Southern Section committee to discuss creation of Open Division

The Southern Section basketball advisory committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday to discuss the concept of creating an Open Division for the section playoffs.

The skeptics will say it would be an attempt to pull elite programs (mostly private schools) from other divisions, put them together in one 12-team Open Division and create more opportunities for other schools to win championships.

There’s already an Open Division for the state playoffs, but creating one for the Southern Section playoffs would be a major change and open to close examination.

The Southern Section is already facing a federal lawsuit alleging religious discrimination for moving four private schools to the parochial sports area. Any Open Division that ends up separating mostly private schools would face scrutiny.

[email protected]