Ocean View’s Year Probation Lifted by CIF

The one-year probationary penalty assessed Ocean View High School’s basketball program last August has been lifted by the CIF Southern Section’s Executive Committee.

The committee took the action after Southern Section Commissioner Ray Plutko reviewed required correspondence from John Myers, Ocean View principal, regarding what steps were taken to alleviate certain conditions relative to the basketball program since the penalty was imposed.

Plutko reported his findings to the Executive Committee last month, and the group moved that the probation be lifted. The action was announced Thursday at the CIF Southern Section meeting in Norwalk.

The Huntington Beach Union School District, following its own investigation that revealed Coach Jim Harris used “undue influence” to retain Lynwood transfers Ricky Butler and Desi Hazely at Ocean View in the summer of 1984, ordered the school to forfeit the 24 victories and Sunset League championship won during the 1984-85 season.

The CIF Executive Committee, after a review of the district’s action, ruled that the school also had to relinquish the trophies won for its ‘84-’85 performance, that the Seahawks were ineligible for the 1985-86 playoffs.