Shelby County Schools appeals postseason bans

The Shelby County School District has appealed the TSSAA ruling that left Wooddale, Melrose and Westwood with two-year postseason bans.

“The District learned this (Friday) afternoon of the TSSAA’S decision to ban three SCS schools from postseason play; however, the District plans to appeal the unilateral sanctions,” the district said in an email. “These situations have been treated very seriously, and we certainly regret and admonish the negative behavior of the few students involved.”

TSSAA executive director Bernard Childress said he has received requests for appeals and is working on a date for an emergency meeting. It probably would be this week.

The TSSAA ruling came after three brawls at Memphis high school basketball games on Jan. 25. Two of the three games resulted in teams being banned from postseason play. Those games were Wooddale at Melrose and Westwood’s game with Fairley.

According to the TSSAA letter to Melrose and Wooddale officials, a fight broke out with 1:13 left after a Wooddale player was fouled. As he was headed to the free-throw line, the Wooddale player tossed the ball at a Melrose player. In turn, the Melrose player threw the ball at the head of the Wooddale player. A different Wooddale player then grabbed the ball and hit the Melrose player in the head with the ball.

A fight then ensued with fans from both sides coming to the floor. Police used mace to regain control.

The TSSAA letter to Westwood and Fairley stated that the fight at West-

wood began after the game when the teams were in the handshake line. An official blew a whistle to indicate a potential fight was about to occur after a player from Westwood and Fairley squared up. A Fairley coach jumped between the players. Fans then came onto the floor. The brawl took place at multiple places in the gym, and security officers were also hit by fans.

Fairley, which is not a Shelby County School, also received a twoyear postseason ban.

While the teams are unable to compete in postseason play, they are eligible to finish out the regular season. Each team was fined $3,500.

Interim Shelby County Schools Superintendent Joris Ray posted on Twitter that his desired outcome is for the individuals, not entire teams, to be held accountable for the recent incidents.

“We’re holding the few students involved accountable for recent incidents at games, but let’s not penalize entire teams — most of those involved were adults, not students. As a community, we must model better for our students,” Ray wrote.