Appeal Denied, Campbell Hall Looks to Court : Jurisprudence: School will seek restraining order to allow participation in playoffs in wake of CIF’s refusal to overturn a ruling on player’s eligibility.

The California Interscholastic Federation on Friday denied Campbell Hall High’s appeal to overturn a Southern Section ruling over a player’s eligibility, setting the stage for a legal showdown next week.

Thomas Byrnes, the CIF commissioner, informed school officials he could find no grounds to change the decision of the section, which earlier had ordered Campbell Hall to forfeit eight victories for using an ineligible player, junior Rowan Pearson.

Campbell Hall spokeswoman Carol Heyes said the school will seek a temporary restraining order that would allow the team to participate in the playoffs. A court date has been set for 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in Van Nuys Superior Court.

Byrnes’ ruling closed the door on the CIF appeal process and leaves Campbell Hall--whose record fell from 14-8 to 6-16--without a playoff berth. Campbell Hall is the defending section champion in Division V-AA and is ranked third in the state in Division V.

Section basketball administrator Dean Crowley, who will attend the hearing along with a section attorney, said it remains uncertain how the legal maneuvering will affect the section playoffs, which begin next week.

Some wild-card and first-round games could be played Tuesday, meaning that if Campbell Hall is successful in its bid to secure a postseason berth, the V-AA bracket would have to be redrawn.

The school also could earn a playoff berth through a vote of league principals.

Among area schools picking up forfeit victories in the decision are Taft, Kennedy, Buckley and Faith Baptist.