Following an early round, postseason victory, a sophomore student-athlete on the Manor High School girls’ basketball team was accused of being ineligible due to a recent school transfer. Manor forfeited its victory and the team was thrown into limbo. However, on Monday, a judge ruled that the student-athlete is actually eligible to play.
According to Wavy.com, Manor High School beat Gloucester High School in the Virginia High School League Class 4 region quarter finals; however, that victory was forfeited when one of Manor’s student-athletes was accused of being ineligible to play.
Transfer students in Virginia are ineligible to compete in the postseason without a waiver, but the judge found that VHSL rules were not followed when the accusation was made. The student-athlete had not been allowed to appeal the ineligibility findings, nor had she been asked directly about the situation.
“That’s the first word that comes to my mind — vindication,” said Manor girls basketball coach Roger Smith. “Feel real good about the outcome, the judge’s decision, and allowing us to get back into the game. All we want to do is play and actually show what we could do on the court. All the other extra stuff, that’s been a distraction, but I’m just glad it’s over right now.”
Unfortunately, the fight for Manor is not over, as postseason play has proceeded without its girls’ basketball team.
“With the forfeiture vacated by the courts, … the division’s athletic department is following direction from the VHSL on how Manor will re-enter the tournament,” according to the Portsmouth Public Schools statement.
After Manor forfeited its win against Gloucester — despite beating the team 88-20 — Gloucester automatically earned Manor’s spot in the tournament. Gloucester then lost to Warhill High School last week. No decision has been made regarding how Manor could re-enter the tournament, as the VHSL must ensure fairness to all competing teams.
“In light of today’s court ruling affecting tournament results and schedules, we are working to better understand the judge’s determination,” said superintendent Dr. Daniel Keever. “We will examine all available options in consultation with legal counsel, while remaining focused on supporting all impacted student athletes and upholding fairness and integrity throughout this process.”
