FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 22, 2000
FHSAA Commissioner postones tonight's Class A Region 4 girls basketball semifinal game at Fort Lauderdale Christian
GAINESVILLE – Citing a state of confusion resulting from a court order issued last week, Florida High School Activities Association Commissioner Robert W. Hughes has postponed the playing of tonight's Class A Region 4 Girls Basketball Semifinal Game at Fort Lauderdale Christian School.
Hughes, last Wednesday, declared Berkshire's girls and boys basketball teams ineligible for further participation in the 2000 FHSAA State Basketball Series for numerous athletic recruiting violations.
On Thursday, Hughes notified Greater Miami Academy – Berkshire's scheduled opponent in that night's regional quarterfinal game – that the game would not be played. Berkshire, meanwhile, sought and obtained a court order from Circuit Judge David Tobin temporarily preventing the FHSAA from enforcing Hughes' decision. Notice of the court order, however, was received too late to notify Greater Miami Academy that the game was to be played. Consequently, it was not; and has not been rescheduled. Meanwhile, Fort Lauderdale Christian School has been uncertain as to which team would show up to play tonight's regional semifinal game.
"Because of the temporary injunction and the confusion that has resulted from it, there now exist two opponents to face Fort Lauderdale Christian School in tonight's Class A Region 4 semifinal game – Greater Miami Academy and Berkshire," Hughes said. "In light of this situation, I am temporarily postponing the playing of tonight's game until this matter is resolved."
The FHSAA has been granted an emergency hearing before the Third District Court of Appeals in Miami on its appeal of the temporary injunction. The hearing is scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday.
The Florida High School Activities Association is the governing body for interscholastic athletics in Florida. It has a membership of 615 middle schools, junior high schools and high schools.
Contact:
Jack Watford
Director of Communications, FHSAA
(352) 372-9551 ext. 170
jwatford@fhsaa.org
