Channel 4 televised the section's football and basketball championships, pulling in the network's highest ratings for any event other than Padres games. In turn, the section made a modest profit and, more importantly, got a showplace for its championships.

But no more.

"Our contract with the CIF is up, and we're in a situation right now where we can't enter into a new one," said Dennis Morgigno, the station manager at Channel 4.

What that means is that this weekend's San Diego Section boys and girls basketball championships from the University of San Diego's Jenny Craig Pavilion won't be on TV. And that's too bad because some of the matchups figure to be classics.

On the boys side, the Division I title game on Saturday at 8 p.m. pits La Costa Canyon (26-4) against Torrey Pines (25-5). And the Division II game on Friday at 8 p.m. matches Lincoln (28-1) against Hoover (26-6).

Both Lincoln and Hoover have NCAA Division I players. Lincoln's Norman Powell has committed to UCLA, and Angelo Chol of Hoover is headed to Arizona.

The girls Division I game at 6 p.m. Saturday pits La Costa Canyon (27-3) against San Diego (26-5). The Division II game at 6 p.m. Friday is Mt. Carmel (23-7) vs. Westview (23-7).

There was a time when Channel 4 aired all 10 of the San Diego Section's title games. In the last few years, conflicts have pared that number down, and last year there were just two games on TV.

"We value and cherish our relationship with the CIF," Morgigno said. "But Cox has consolidated into one entity, and we're not in a position right now to enter into new contracts.

"Maybe in the future, we'll do high school sports again. But it's too late to do it now."

Channel 4 recently lost its top executive with the retirement of senior vice president and general manager Bill Geppert. Plus, vice president and general manager Craig Nichols left the company.

"I'm just not sure right now what direction we're going, so we can't sign new contracts," Morgigno said.

CIF commissioner Dennis Ackerman said he enjoyed the association with Channel 4, but could see the writing on the wall.

"The last couple of years, they've only been able to do two football games and two basketball games," Ackerman said. "I understand there were conflicts with the Padres and Chargers, but it was a little frustrating.

"Still, it has been a great relationship, one that I think benefited both parties as well as high school sports fans. We'll see what happens down the road."

Ackerman said KUSI Channel 9/51 in San Diego could become involved in the future. KUSI is the home of the popular "Prep Pigskin Report" during football season, as well as a new weekly Friday night prep highlight show.

"It was too quick to get something done for basketball, but KUSI is interested in doing something in football," Ackerman said. "KUSI has started something pretty special. Now maybe they'd be interested in taking the next step and becoming the destination for prep sports with games to lead into highlight shows."

Channel 4 is also in the last year of a 10-year deal with the Padres. Morgigno said he expects something to happen with the Padres before midsummer.

That deal will definitely shape the direction of Channel 4.