In the first day of games in the Bill Walton Basketball Festival at Petco Park Mon., Nov. 30, the game between the Mt. Miguel and Country Day girls teams had to be called prematurely in the third quarter due to condensation on the outdoor court.
Officials used Swiffers to try to keep the moisture off the playing surface. But finally they had to face facts for the players' safety, and cancel the rest of the game.
The court, rented by Petco Park, is a college-sized surface, larger than the normal high school dimensions the players are used to: 10 feet longer, and 8 feet wider.
There are some dead spots on the court. Also, the Petco Park scoreboard is operating, but with fans sitting in bleachers set up around second base, many would have to turn around to see the board.
There are other displays closer to the court that will show game information.
And it is cold. Media reports reminded spectators during the week-long event to bring jackets to bundle up and keep warm.
Players in earlier games complained of sun in their eyes. La Jolla's boys team plays Helix in a game moved up to a 7 p.m. start time Tues., Dec. 1, so sun should not be an issue at that late hour.
The wooden court was installed backwards, so scorers tables and the table for players to check into the game are on the wrong side of the quadrangle.
Despite the problems, high school players and coaches participating in Monday's games said it was a great honor to play in the festival at the professional ballpark.
San Diego State's local rivalry game with USD at Petco Park--the high point of the Walton festival--originally scheduled for Sat., Dec. 5, was moved to Sun., Dec. 6, to avoid a conflict with SDSU's football game against the Air Force Academy at Qualcomm Stadium Saturday night.
Copyright 2015 Ed Piper
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