MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The state’s top high school basketball team will have to forfeit most of its regular season wins because of an ineligible player.
Hamilton High School’s principal confirmed to WREG the team’s 17-0 record will soon be 2-15, because of a TSSAA investigation into student athlete Tarrance Baker.
Baker is the team’s third leading scorer, averaging 13.4 points per game.
The TSSAA gives student athletes eight semesters of eligibility, and Baker was reportedly past that.
The team has to forfeit the games Baker played. He was on the bench at Friday night’s basketball game against Whitehaven.
TSSAA could not confirm the news Friday, only saying it sent a letter to the school this afternoon. The organization doesn’t publicly release information until 24 hours after a school is notified.
TSSAA said in these types of situations, teams can still play in the postseason.
Some fans questioned how Baker’s eligibility slipped through the cracks.
“I think that should have been known from the beginning,” Hamilton parent Tajuana Patterson said.
Hamilton High School would not comment further in the issue. One of Baker’s family members wouldn’t talk about it Friday.
The team is considered the second best in the nation.