BY JESSE SMITHEY
Welcome back to the postseason, Farragut.
The TSSAA doesn’t overturn their decision often, but it happened Thursday afternoon.
A day after ruling that the boys’ basketball teams at Farragut and William Blount were to conclude their seasons because of an on-court altercation with 1 minute, 38 seconds left, in a Region 2-4A semifinal at Farragut, the TSSAA granted Farragut a reverse decision.
The Admirals will get to advance to the Region 2-4A championship game to play Bearden and also appear in the state sectionals Monday, March 7, for the first time since 2004.
“The Farragut High School administration appealed the officials’ decision to call the game based on a misapplication of the rule. After reviewing all of the information available to the TSSAA state office, this appeal is granted,” wrote TSSAA executive director Bernard Childress in a letter to the Farragut administration.
“The game should have continued with the players available to each team, provided it was in a safe environment.”
From here, Farragut and William Blount have three options, per Childress’ letter:
- Farragut and William Blount can play the final 1:38 of the contest with the players who weren’t ejected — which means, Farragut would have two players remaining and William Blount one.
- Farragut and William Blount can mutually agree to end the game with 1:38 to go and Farragut be declared the winner since the Admirals led 63-50 with 1:38 to go.
- Or, William Blount can forfeit the contest to Farragut.
Per William Blount athletics director Scott Cupp’s tweet on Thursday night, William Blount and Farragut will execute option No. 1 and compete the final 1:38 of the contest with the remaining players they have at 5 p.m. Friday at Farragut. No fans will be allowed for the completion of the Farragut/William Blount game, according to Cupp’s tweet.
The region championship against Bearden will take place at 7 p.m.
The TSSAA, in the letter, upheld its decision to back the ejections of the players listed in the officials report.
Childress wrote: “The players that were ejected are still required to sit out their next two games in accordance with Article III, Section 7 of the TSSAA Bylaws. Additionally, in accordance with the TSSAA Bylaws, the $250 fine for players leaving the bench during an altercation will remain.”
WEDNESDAY’S STORY + OFFICIALS REPORT can be read here.