Lincoln Ruled Ineligible for Boys’ Hoops Playoffs

The Lincoln High School boys’ basketball team will not be eligible for the playoffs after the Tigers were discovered holding practice several days during their probation.

The Tigers were placed on probation when then-City Section Commissioner Hal Harkness discovered the team practicing at 3 p.m.Oct. 7 at Lincoln Park before the official starting date of Nov. 9. Players are permitted to attend a basketball class from 2:05 to 3 p.m. before the first day of organized practice.

With that infraction, the team lost four practice days, Nov. 9-12.

But Coach Rourke Huff, who appealed the original penalty, was discovered practicing with his team again over those four days by Lincoln officials.

Lincoln will now be banned from postseason play for the 1993-94 season, from preseason tournaments during the 1994-95 season, and its probation was extended through the 1994-95 season.

The Interscholastic Athletics Committee upheld the Dec. 6 decision to impose the penalties.

“For the first time, all winter-sports coaches were asked to sign off a form which stated that they understood the starting dates for after-school practices,” City Commissioner Barbara Fiege said.

“At the bottom of the form were listed possible penalties that may be imposed if the coaches did not adhere to these guidelines. Everyone was very aware of the starting dates.”

Huff notified the City Commissioner’s Office that he intends to appeal the decision.