The Unexpected Occurs (Again)

For an athletic program bereft of forfeits in the past, an odd trend continues for Central High School.
For the second time this winter, Central's athletic program has been forced to forfeit basketball games.
Earlier in the season, CHS' boys' basketball team, under third-year Head Coach Eric Hayes, was ruled to have played an ineligible player. As a result, the Bears forfeited two early victories.
On Monday, the CHS girls' program, under Head Coach Penny Gressick, was forced to forfeit seven wins - including four district victories - due to an ineligible player.
The forfeit losses were substantial.
Instead of the Lady Bears maintaining a possible No. 2 seed against No. 3 seed Land O' Lakes in next Friday's Class 5A, District 7 Tournament at Wesley Chapel, CHS will drop into the No. 5 slot against No. 4 seed New Port Richey-River Ridge on Wednesday.
With a win, CHS would then have to survive next Friday's semifinal against top-seeded Wesley Chapel.
So, instead of the Lady Bears needing one win to reach regionals, they'll have to win twice.

What happened?

The Lady Bear player in question, who totaled 21 points all season, began the school year at Hernando High before transferring to CHS.
One form, however, was not properly completed explained Central High School Principal Dennis McGeehan.
Another county coach came across the error and reported it to Central.
According to McGeehan, CHS then reported the paperwork error to the state's governing body of athletics - the Florida High School Athletic Association. The FHSAA ruled the player ineligible, therefore, shuffling Central's district playoff position.
"We had an error in boys' basketball and we addressed that," recalled McGeehan on the initial forfeit. "In the girls' case, the youngster changed schools early in the year and one form was not processed properly.
"A county coach caught the error and brought it to our attention," McGeehan said. "We, in turn, reported it to the FHSAA ourselves. This is a very unusual situation. But if something like this ever occurs, then it needs to be corrected."
As a result of the forfeits, Central's record officially shifted Monday from 11-8 to 4-15 overall (1-7 5A-7).
Can the Lady Bears overcome the clerical error?
"Certainly the players are disappointed," McGeehan added. "They've played well all season. We all hope they can continue on."