Jones and Boddie didn’t play against Xenia, but the pair appeared in an earlier tournament game, which could compromise Wayne’s postseason.
“The (OHSAA) called about 1:20 (p.m.) Monday and told our (athletic director) to tell the coach to keep practicing,” said Xenia coach Kent Anderson.
Officials from Wayne, whose basketball team is 20-2 and finished the regular season No. 1 in the DDN area D-I ratings, met with OHSAA administrators Wednesday in Columbus. A ruling could come today or Friday, said Bob Goldring, an OHSAA associate commissioner.
Until then, Xenia and St. Xavier, which is scheduled to play Wayne in a D-I district final at 7 p.m. Saturday at UD Arena, wait.
“Every other practice (during the season) we knew what was going on,” said Anderson, adding that the team took Monday and Tuesday off before practicing on Wednesday. “We just tried to get up and down the floor a bunch.”
Wayne also defeated Piqua and Belmont in the sectional. Jones and Boddie were held out of the matchup with Piqua before playing against Belmont.
St. X has multiple game plans.
“(Coach Scott Martin) said he’s going to proceed with three game plans,” St. Xavier Athletic Director John Sullivan told The Cincinnati Enquirer this week. “He’s got the Wayne A team, the Wayne B team if those two guys are ineligible, and Xenia.”
Anderson said Xenia has seen St. Xavier play but would have to rush with ticket sales and other game necessities if told to play.
If Wayne is removed by the OHSAA, it won’t be the first time. The Warriors were yanked from the 1999 postseason when the OHSAA ruled they had used an ineligible player, who participated in a church league game.
After beating Tecumseh that year, Wayne was declared ineligible and was replaced by the Arrows in the tourney field.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7389 or knagel@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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