MASE boys basketball removed from TSSAA payoffs
Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering has been removed from the TSSAA boys state basketball playoffs for using an ineligible player, according to a letter from the TSSAA released Friday.
“According to the information we received which has been confirmed, the administration entered the student in question as an eligible athlete through the school’s TSSAA Portal account on February 23, 2021,” The letter read. “The school stated that the athlete had not participated in any TSSAA or other state association contests at any level (Varsity or JV) in the last 12 months. The information we received verified
that the student participated for his previous school in the sectional game last year on March 9, 2020.”
The letter stated that the ineligible player appeared in three varsity games after transferring to MASE before March 10, which is when he would have become eligible.
The Phoenix won the Region 8-A title with a 5442 win over MAHS Tuesday and were scheduled to host Union City Monday in the sectionals. Because the ineligible player participated in that game, the region title must be forfeited and MAHS will host Union City in the sectionals
MASE will be fined a total of $300 — $100 per game that the ineligible player appeared in. All money and awards earned in the postseason must be returned to TSSAA.
MASE is the second team from Shelby County in two days to be removed from the playoffs. The Arlington girls basketball team was ruled ineligible Thursday after police said a juvenile fan admitted to punching Dyer County coach Derek Mccord.
MASE, which opened in 2003, was one win away from making its second state tournament appearance.