A judge granted a temporary restraining order on Friday that will allow two transfers at Knott County’s Cordia High School to play basketball. From the Herald-Leader’s Greg Kocher:
Richard Chapman Jr. and Josh Ortiz filed separate lawsuits against the Kentucky High School Athletic Association, which had declared them ineligible to play. Franklin Circuit Judge Thomas Wingate heard oral arguments during a special hearing on Thursday, and on Friday Wingate restrained the KHSAA from enforcing its final order withholding eligibilty from the two. …As of Friday, each student “shall be considered eligible to participate in KHSAA-sanctioned basketball events and competitions,” Wingate wrote.
The pair could play in tonight’s All A Classic quarterfinal game against St. Mary in Frankfort. According to this photo by EKB Sports’ Jamey Johnson, they have been added to the lineup card:
KHSAA Commissioner Julian Tackett issued this statement following today’s ruling:
“We have received the restraining order issued by the Franklin Circuit Court, and will adhere to its requirements. That said, it is likely not possible for me to disagree more with the findings of the court in its order. While it is inappropriate for this office to discuss the specific circumstances related to the matters of these students due to privacy concerns, we look forward to further judicial review and consideration about this matter. Clearly, situations such as this were intended to be regulated and restricted when the member schools passed the rules governing eligibility, and when those rules were approved by the Kentucky Board of Education and the Kentucky General Assembly. We will vigorously move forward with efforts related to these cases.”
Was just told by a source: “When Josh Ortiz of Cordia found out the news that he was cleared to play Basketball, tears rolled down his eyes”
— Anthony B (@SportsZoneBlog1) February 1, 2014
Update:
Cordia's Richard Chapman, the other player who got a favorable ruling today, enters the game early in the second quarter. Cordia up 22-15.
— Mike Fields (@MikeFieldsNotes) February 1, 2014
Josh Ortiz just scored his first bucket for Cordia. Took 30 seconds!
— Jamie McCracken (@JamieWYMT) February 1, 2014
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