{"id":165094,"date":"2018-11-13T12:44:14","date_gmt":"2018-11-13T20:44:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bilcomprd.wpengine.com\/?p=165094"},"modified":"2023-03-21T14:26:49","modified_gmt":"2023-03-21T21:26:49","slug":"lamelo-ball-five-burning-questions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ballislife.com\/lamelo-ball-five-burning-questions\/","title":{"rendered":"LaMelo Ball: Five Burning Questions"},"content":{"rendered":"

Periodically, Ballislife answers the most pressing questions about a hot topic in basketball. Today, we take a look at the situation surrounding LaMelo Ball's enrollment at SPIRE Academy (Geneva, Ohio), why some high school programs won't play SPIRE and what the decision means for Ball's potential NCAA eligibility for 2019-20.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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1. Why won't Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) play SPIRE Academy?
\n<\/strong>As an independent program that follows the rules of the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association (VISAA) and guidelines set forth by the Virginia High School League (VHSL), it won't jeopardize its standing with the VISAA by playing a program where there are questions about a player's eligibility on that particular roster. VISAA guidelines require its members to play other programs that adhere to the organization's eligibility rules. Oak Hill Academy plays upwards of 40 regular season games and in order to fill out their schedule with quality foes, it won't take the risk of playing a school with eligibility questions because the Warriors want to be in compliance with opponents that are full-time members of other state associations. Oak Hill Academy doesn't want to put itself at any risk of forfeit as it looks to qualify for GEICO Nationals at Christ the King in New York, April 4-6, 2019.<\/p>\n

2. Why won't La Lumiere (La Porte, Ind.) play SPIRE Academy?<\/strong>
\nLa Lumiere is basically in the same position as Oak Hill Academy. As an Independent program, it doesn\u2019t want to be involved in any forfeit situation, or be involved in a game where there is potentially an ineligible player participating. La Lumiere is allowed to play schools in the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) and it doesn't want to do anything to jeopardize its standing with that organization. Since it does not play for a state title, La Lumiere's goal each season is to play at GEICO Nationals.<\/p>\n