Rolesville girls’ basketball removed from playoffs

The Rolesville girls’ basketball team’s inaugural playoff run was halted on Tuesday after the N.C. High School Athletic Association discovered the use of an ineligible player during its last four games.

Rolesville must forfeit each of those contests, which affected its seeding and record.

Wake County schools spokesman Matt Dees told The News and Observer one of the student-athletes had an expired physical that the school’s staff discovered while reviewing paperwork before playoffs.He said as soon as the mistake was discovered, the school reported it.

An NCHSAA released indicated the Rolesville administration called to report the player Tuesday.

The Rams, in what was supposed to be their first postseason game, were scheduled to play at Greenville Rose Tuesday night for a first-round matchup. Rose will automatically advance to the second round, as Rolesville will not be replaced in the 4A East girls’ bracket.

NCHSAA Commissioner Que Tucker in the release said the association acted accordingly.

“Upon review, we recognize that it is an unfortunate situation,” she said, “but the rules are clear-cut on the use of an ineligible player discovered after playoff brackets have been finalized.”

The NCHSAA handbook indicates that “a team shall not participate in playoffs if, after the brackets have been finalized, forfeited contests cause an adjustment in its record and seed.”

The brackets were settled on Saturday.

Rolesville forfeited its senior night game against Clayton, its regular-season finale game at Garner and two Greater Neuse River Conference tournament games. The Rams were 14-12 on the year and finished fourth in the league before the discovery.

Their removal from playoffs came 10 days after senior Lauren White made history for Rolesville High sports, becoming the school’s very first champion in any sport. She won gold in long jump at the indoor track state championships on Feb. 13.

“I feel for the players, particularly the seniors on the team, affected by the outcome of this ruling,” Tucker continued in the release. “It is a heartbreaking situation but we have to follow our rules.”

Two seniors are listed on Rolesville’s current roster.

This story was originally published February 23, 2016 at 3:40 PM with the headline "Rolesville girls’ basketball removed from playoffs."