TUCSON, Ariz. — The Sabino High School girls basketball team will be removed from the state tournament following a vote from the Arizona Interscholastic Association Tuesday to put the team on probation. The team was set to play in the 3A semifinals Friday.
The vote follows news that the team used an ineligible player during the 2018-2019 season. The team forfeited nine of its games in response.
The Sabino High School girls basketball team won its quarterfinal game in the state 3A tournament Monday. They were set to play Holbrook High School in the semifinals Friday. Holbrook will now advance to the championship game Saturday in Glendale, the AIA says.
TUSD released a statement Tuesday afternoon, saying they disagree with the AIA decision.
Today, 2/19/19, the AIA Executive Board deliberated to decide sanctions for Sabino High School Girls' Basketball Team in regards to the prior contact violation submitted earlier this year, which resulted in forfeiture of games. Tucson Unified School District and Sabino High School administration addressed the Board to outline steps taken by the school and district in regards to this matter. After a lengthy deliberation, the AIA Executive Board voted unanimously to place the Sabino's Girls Basketball Program on probation for the remainder of the season, which also resulted in Sabino’s removal from the State Basketball Tournament. Herman House, Director of Interscholastics for TUSD, recused himself as a board member in order to address the steps taken by the district and the school. Tucson Unified School District disagrees with the AIA decision. On 1/18/19 Tucson Unified self-reported the violation to the AIA, and we believe the school and district properly addressed this matter that led to the violation. Our heart goes out to the students and parents in the Sabino Girls’ Basketball Program. We will continue to work diligently to resolve any reoccurrence of these violations which greatly affect our student-athletes through additional training programs.
