Boys basketball

Green’s ineligibility could grant Sullivan West 2005 title

richardross@riverreporter. >By RICHARD A. ROSS

GOSHEN, NY — As a result of a January 6 ruling by U.S. District Court Judge William Conner, John S. Burke standout Jason Green was denied an extension of his eligibility to play for the 2005-06 season. The 19 year old had retained attorney Michael Sussman to plead his case, citing a hardship due to lost time resulting from an attack on Green while he was a student at Newburgh Free Academy in January 2003. Green subsequently transferred to Burke.

In a shocking development, it now appears that Green had already used up his four years of eligibility prior to last season. At the upcoming Section 9 meeting slated for February 7, a decision could be rendered that would strip Burke of its 2005 Section 9, Class B title, which they garnered with their 72-64 win over Sullivan West.

It is possible that the Bulldogs would receive that title if Burke is deemed to have played as an ineligible player.

Green was a big factor in all four of the games played between the two teams last year. On January 10, 2005, he was Burke’s leading scorer in the 67-51 win in Goshen. He scored 18 in that game. He had 12 in Burke’s only loss to the Bulldogs on February 11, 2005. He led his team to the Division IV title over Sullivan West with 13 on February 17, 2005.

In the Section 9 title win, Green came on strong with nine points in the fourth quarter on his way to scoring a total of 14, as the Eagles defeated the Bulldogs for the Section 9 crown.

Precedents exist for teams losing their eligibility, including the 1971-72 Liberty team, which had its 14-0 record under coach Floyd Emory turned to 0-14 after a 19 year old was deemed ineligible. Liberty did get invited to sectionals that year and lost a dramatic game to Cornwall, which was coached at the time by Glenn McGinnis.

Sullivan West coach Rick Ellison is anxious to hear the ruling but laments the fact that it will be too late for the seniors who graduated last June. “They had a chance at something special, an opportunity to play in a regional game,” said Ellison. Burke lost in the first round of the regionals to John F. Kennedy Catholic of Section One. Ellison noted that if his team had played in that game and won, they would have gone to Glens Falls for the final four.