by Alyx Henry ’11

The boys’ varsity basketball team got off to a great start with a 6-0 record, but forfeited their first five games because of an ineligible player.

According to the High School Athletic Handbook: Student Information Section: Number 7, if a student transfers from another county school he is ineligible to partake in any athletics for one calendar year, unless the student requests and competes an athletic waiver.

MCPS Director of Athletics Duke Beattie was informed of the ineligible player, the team’s third leading scorer, required the team to forfeit their victories against Richard Montgomery, Damascus, Rockville, Watkins Mill and Northwood.

According to Athletic Director Kathy Green, the student “applied for an athletic waiver and was granted one on December 29 after the consequence of the forfeits was handed down,” she said. “He requested the waiver and was able to play starting December 29,”  

The varsity team still qualifies to participate in the playoffs, thought the forfeited games will hurt the team in their seeding and could prevent the players from having a home playoff game.