The TSSAA saw things Unaka’s way – as far as the basketball program was concerned.
The TSSAA Board of Control overturned the boys’ basketball postseason ban that was delivered after the Ranger football program forfeited their first-round playoff game at Greenback. The school was notified of the decision on Friday per Unaka Head Coach and Athletic Director Aaron Dugger.
With the appeal being successful, Unaka basketball is now eligible for postseason action this season.
Unaka, however, did not escape without penalty as the Ranger football team is facing a two-year postseason ban. As a result, the Region 2-A champion will get a bye in the first-round playoffs.
TSSAA delivered the original decision in letter dated November 2. In the letter addressed to Unaka High School Principal Betsy Oliver, the ban was due to the football team not participating in the playoffs after being placed in the bracket.
The policy of banning basketball teams in response to football playoff forfeits in the TSSAA bylaws.
Oliver had informed the TSSAA on November 1 informing the TSSAA of the decision. In Oliver’s letter, the principal noted that most of the players had turned in their uniforms after their regular season finale, and that coaches had tried to talk to them but were not successful.
