The Williams-Sullivan boys and girls basketball teams have been ruled ineligible for the playoffs by the Mississippi High School Activities Association.
Don Hinton, executive director of the MHSAA, wouldn’t give specifics on the postseason ban. Hinton wants to give the school time to appeal the process if it so chooses.
Habray Carter, who coaches the boys and girls teams, said he was informed of the decision this morning.
“It’s politics,” said Carter.
The Williams-Sullivan boys team was currently 21-4 and ranked No. 2 in The Clarion-Ledger’s Class 2A rankings.
They reached the semifinals last season and were among the favorites to get back to Jackson this season.
The decision apparently stems around Carter, in his third season at the school in Durant. Carter removed his team from the court during a game in November.
The MHSAA gave notice to the school in early December that any further violations by Carter would result in postseason suspension.
Since then, he was assessed a technical during a game on Jan. 15 and was ejected after receiving two technicals on Jan. 24 in a game at Ackerman. Carter says his teams is being unjustly punished.
“I feel like it was a witch hunt,” Carter said. “I get provoked every night. I told them that I would resign if they would allow my kids to play in the playoffs. They say they will consider that. My children’s future is more important than me. They are making it about me, but life will go on for me. I will get another job and provide for my family, but you have to think about those kids who are seniors. You are basically washing away three years of work. Punishing me is one thing. Destroying what these kids have worked for is another.”
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