The Decline of City Section Basketball: A Lament for the Past
The City Section, once a powerhouse in Southern California high school basketball, has hit rock bottom. The talent level has drastically declined, and the numbers are staggering. Just a year after Alijah Arenas, a McDonald’s All-American, led Chatsworth High, and Tajh Ariza guided Westchester to the City Section Open Division title, the landscape has changed dramatically. Arenas and Ariza, whose parents attended City Section schools, stuck it out, but eventually, Arenas graduated early to join USC, and Ariza left for St. John Bosco and then prep school.
The legacy schools, including Westchester, Crenshaw, Taft, and Fairfax, have seen better days. Westchester, where Ed Azzam won 15 City titles in 42 seasons, is now struggling. Crenshaw, which produced 16 City titles and eight state titles under Willie West, is no longer the dominant force it once was. Taft, which won four City titles under Derrick Taylor, and Fairfax, where Harvey Kitani coached for 35 years and won four City titles, are also experiencing a decline. The list of legendary players who came out of these schools is impressive, including Marques Johnson, John Williams, Gail Goodrich, Willie Naulls, Dwayne Polee, Gilbert Arenas, Trevor Ariza, and Chris Mills.
Causes of the Decline
There is no single person or entity to blame for the decline of City Section basketball. The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), which oversees the City Section, has not helped matters by opening new schools, leading to declining student enrollment and a loss of legacy. The rise of charter schools and private schools has also contributed to the exodus of top athletes. Veteran coaches have become frustrated with bureaucracy and rules, such as securing permits and paying to use their own gyms in the offseason, leading to their departure.
Westchester, for example, is 2-8 this season, and two of its top players from last season, Gary Ferguson and Jordan Ballard, have left for St. Bernard. King/Drew, which won its first City Open Division title in 2024 under coach Lloyd Webster, has seen its senior son, Josahn, transfer to Rolling Hills Prep to play for Kitani. The team is now 4-10. Charter schools like Birmingham, Palisades, and Granada Hills have become dominant forces in City Section sports, including basketball, with no enrollment boundaries as long as there is a seat available.
A Way Forward
While the situation looks bleak, there is hope for a turnaround. Coaches who recognize their role in teaching life lessons, basketball, and college preparation can make a difference. Parents need a reason to send their kids to a City Section school, and it is up to LAUSD and principals to support coaches with integrity, passion, and a willingness to embrace the underdog role. There are still many dedicated coaches and educators in the system doing their best to make a positive impact.
Perhaps this season’s poor performance is an anomaly, and the City Section can begin to climb back up. Palisades, Washington Prep, and Cleveland are currently the top teams, with records of 3-10, 8-8, and 7-6, respectively, against mostly Southern Section teams. While these records are not impressive, they offer a glimmer of hope. With the right support and leadership, the City Section can regain its former glory and produce talented players and teams that can compete at the highest level.
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