North Lincoln’s girls’ basketball team is going to the playoffs after all.
Just days after having to forfeit 17 games due to an ineligible player, the Knights were able to slip inside the NCHSAA’s 48-team field for the 5A playoffs when the pairings were released Saturday.
After the forfeits this season, the Knights were 2-21 before Thursday’s game with Bandys and ranked No. 49 in the NCHSAA’s computer-based rankings to determine playoff eligibility.
North Lincoln beat Bandys, 68-52, however, and rose to No. 43 in the rankings.
When the 5A girls’ playoff pairings were announced Saturday, North Lincoln was the No. 23 seed in the western half of the bracket, which includes 24 teams.
North Lincoln will start the playoffs Tuesday at Enka High School (15-10).
According to a Charlotte Observer source, the forfeits are a result of using an ineligible player, who was reportedly competing in a fifth season of high school basketball, a violation of NCHSAA rules.
Lincoln County Schools spokesperson Shanti Clancy on Friday confirmed the district had concluded an investigation into the situation and confirmed that North Lincoln had used an ineligible player.
“While this is a disappointing outcome, we respect the rules that govern interscholastic athletics and accept the decision,” Clancy wrote via email in response an Observer inquiry. “Despite the forfeitures, the team has qualified for the state playoffs and will continue to compete with determination and pride.”
There are 15 new girls’ basketball teams ranked in the latest N.C. statewide rankings.
The poll was on hiatus during the holidays, which included pre- and post-Christmas tournaments, and there are lots of changes as the rankings resume.
Aside from all the new teams, two of the nine polls got new No. 1 teams.
College Prep & Leadership Academy jumped two spots to No. 1 in the 1A rankings.
Surry Central jumped three spots to No. 1 in 3A.
College Prep & Leadership, from Jamestown, is 13-1 heading into Friday’s game with state power Bishop McGuinness (8-2), which is No. 6 in the 2A poll. The Royals are led by junior Mackenzie Dumbaya, who is averaging 17.3 points on 59% shooting.
Surry Central, from Dobson, was 11-1 before Tuesday’s game at Winston-Salem’s Atkins High (2-8). The Eagles, who have won two straight games, don’t have a double-figure scorer, but average nearly 34 rebounds and 22 steals per game.
The rankings are sponsored by The Charlotte Observer and the News & Observer of Raleigh. They are compiled by longtime N.C. girls’ basketball expert Randall Clark, a co-host of The Observer’s Talking Preps streaming show.
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Langston Wertz Jr. is an award-winning sports journalist who has worked at the Observer since 1988. He’s covered everything from Final Fours and NFL to video games and Britney Spears. Wertz — a West Charlotte High and UNC grad — is the rare person who can answer “Charlotte,” when you ask, “What city are you from.” Support my work with a digital subscription