H.S. hoops rock the Palestra

We are in favor of Penn's decision to host the Public League basketball title game on a rotating basis. We are pleased that Penn agreed last week to share hosting duties with three other Philadelphia colleges for the public high school tournament finals and semifinals. But that is tempered by the conflict between Penn's commitment to the championships and its responsibility for campus safety. The games have been held at a variety of locations around the city over the years, but there is no greater place to play basketball in Philadelphia than the Palestra. And Penn does have a responsibility to participate in the civic life of the city. But of course, the University's primary responsibility is to its students and their safety on campus. We are glad that Penn is looking out for its students' best interests, and we hope all due security cautions greet the game on its return to the Palestra. The University faced a difficult choice after the 1998 contest, which was marred by a fatal shooting on 33rd Street after the game: continue its relationship with the league, or force the young hoopsters to find another venue. The decision that was made last January -- to remain silent on the issue, ultimately forcing league officials to move the game elsewhere -- was wrong and irresponsible. Penn's evasiveness did some harm to the school's relationship with the community, and we are first and foremost pleased that the University did not repeat its poor judgment of a year ago. We find the most recent decision -- to share the games with Temple, La Salle and St. Joseph's universities -- very reasonable. Spreading the hosting responsibility for the finals and semifinals around the city makes sense on a practical level. But we also sympathize with those high school basketball players who will never get to realize their dreams of playing in the storied Palestra. And to school officials, athletes, fans and hosts, we express our hope that gunplay never again overshadows the play on the court.