Princeton Community High School administration confirmed to the Courier & Press on Friday, Feb. 20, its boys basketball program is being required by the Indiana High School Athletic Association to forfeit a large number of games from this season due to an ineligible player.
The issue involved “an administrative error” within the athletic department regarding the submission and classification of a transfer student. The player was inadvertently processed as a non-transfer student. A statement forwarded to the Courier said the issue was identified by the IHSAA during the review of upcoming postseason rosters ― the player was subsequently ruled eligible and approved for competition.
The team will forfeit all but one victory from this season with the exception being a contest against Washington on Jan. 23. The Tigers were 18-3 prior to the ruling. Below is the full statement sent from Princeton athletic director and boys basketball coach LaMar Brown.
“Princeton Community High School was informed by the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) of a ruling requiring the vacating of all Boys Basketball program wins during the 2025-2026 season prior to February 11, 2026, with the exception of the January 23, 2026 contest versus Washington,” the statement read.
“This action stems from an administrative error regarding the submission and classification of a transfer student. The student was inadvertently processed as a non-transfer student. The discrepancy was identified by the IHSAA during the review of the sectional roster submission.
“Following submission of the appropriate transfer paperwork on February 11, 2026, the student has now been deemed fully eligible and approved for competition by the IHSAA. However, in accordance with IHSAA policy, the association has ruled that Princeton Community High School must vacate all wins in which the student participated prior to being officially declared eligible on February 11, 2026.
“We take full responsibility for this administrative oversight. This was not the result of misconduct by the student or coaching staff, but rather an internal procedural error. We regret the impact this decision has on our student-athletes, coaches, and community. While we know that this is disappointing, we also know that our community will continue to support this exceptional group of student athletes for the remainder of what has been an outstanding season. This in no way diminishes the stats and points put up on the scoreboard at each game by this phenomenal team.
“Moving forward, we are implementing additional review procedures within our athletic department to ensure all eligibility documentation is verified and submitted accurately in accordance with IHSAA guidelines.”
Princeton, ranked No. 3 in the lastest USA TODAY Network Indiana Class 3A poll, has games remaining games against Forest Park (Feb. 20) and Heritage Hills (Feb. 24) in the regular season. The postseason is scheduled to begin March 3, with the sectional draw this Sunday.
Kyle Sokeland is a sports reporter for the Courier & Press. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @kylesokeland or email at kyle.sokeland@courierpress.com.
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Princeton basketball forfeits wins after ‘administrative’ IHSAA violation
Reporting by Kyle Sokeland, Evansville Courier & Press / Evansville Courier & Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
