News: VHSL Appeals Subcommittee Denies Western Albemarle and Fluvanna County Appeals; Affects Region II Basketball Seeding

Charlottesville (Feb. 15, 2011) - The top-seeded Western Albemarle High School girls basketball team and the top-seeded Fluvanna High School boys basketball teams must forfeit first round victories in the Jefferson District tournament after the school's had appeals denied by the Virginia High School League Tuesday afternoon.

The decision affects Region II tournament seeding as the Division 3 and Division 4 brackets are seeded according to a forumula based in part on the finish of teams in the postseason tournament (the Dulles District for example awards its top seed to the regular-season champion and then all other seeds based on tournament finish).

Western Albemarle High School and Fluvanna County High School reported to the Virginia High School League (VHSL) office that their basketball teams had violated the Varsity/Junior Varsity Tournament Participation Limitation (58-2-2). The policy states – “When a district sponsors both a postseason junior varsity and a postseason varsity tournament, a player shall be limited to participating in only one of these tournaments.”

Western Albemarle’s violation occurred during its first round Jefferson District Tournament girls win over Goochland. Fluvanna County’s violation occurred during its boys first round Jefferson District Tournament win over Western Albemarle. As a result of the violations, both schools forfeited their first round wins for use of an ineligible player. Both schools appealed the penalty, and a hearing was conducted Tuesday afternoon, February 15.

“It’s never a good situation when rules violations occur,” said VHSL Executive Director Ken Tilley. “But the rules are designed to ensure equity for all VHSL member schools and participants.”

As in every case that comes before the VHSL Executive Subcommittee, the appeals by Western Albemarle and Fluvanna County were reviewed based upon their own merits in accordance with a thorough and structured process. After reviewing all information presented as well as testimony from school administrators and League staff, the subcommittee voted 3-0 to deny each school’s appeal.

As a result, the Jefferson District Girls Tournament second round game will be:
Goochland vs. Monticello (6:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 16, at Monticello HS)

As a result, the Jefferson District Boys Tournament second round will be:
Western Albemarle vs. Monticello (6:00 p.m. Thursday, February 17, at Monticello HS)