Prayer Issue May Inspire Dominguez’s Opponent

Compton Dominguez figured to face a motivated opponent tonight against Sacramento Grant in the Division II boys’ basketball state championship game at Arco Arena in Sacramento. But Grant might have even more desire for victory after Coach Tony Lowden was ordered to stop participating in postgame prayers with his players.

A letter from Washington D.C.-based Americans United for Separation of Church and State warned the Grant Joint Union High School District that it could face legal action if Lowden continued to pray with the team, calling it a “gross violation of Constitutional limitations.”

Ayesha Kahn, litigation counsel for the organization, said it received complaints after the Sacramento Bee published a photograph of Lowden and his players in prayer.

“Once the coach gets involved, it sends a message that the school supports prayer, and that is the problem,” Kahn said.

James Rutter, the high school district’s superintendent, said he had not received any other complaints to end the practice but told Lowden he must stop to protect the district from legal action.

Dominguez is seeking its third state title in four years.

Other finals today include Palos Verdes Chadwick playing Los Altos Hills Pinewood in girls’ Division V at 2:30 p.m. and Oxnard Santa Clara playing Modesto Calvary Christian Temple in boys’ Division V at 4:30. Championship games in Divisions I, III and IV will be played Saturday.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.