Adrian Cunningham is sitting at home, watching her senior basketball season go up in smoke.
I guess she's the first player to transfer schools with athletics in mind.
Or, she's the first one to -- more or less -- admit it to the state's high school activities governing body.
You know the SSAC ... it's the Mountain State's four-letter word.
In the spirit of full disclosure, I've had no qualms with the bulk of the decisions made by the Secondary School Activities Commission.
Since Mike Hayden helped cornerstone the reworking of the state's prep sports governing body when he replaced Warren Carter in January of 2000, the SSAC has been more forthcoming and willing to talk about their reasons for controversial decisions.
Current Executive Director Gary Ray has continued the accessibility of the SSAC.
They, unquestionably, dropped the ball on this one.
Cunningham's honesty should have been celebrated, not punished.
Let's look at some history to put this potentially ugly squabble into context.
Stop me if you heard these:
In 2007-08, TyQuane Goard played for Capital, then transferred to Mountain State Academy to play one year, and returned to the capital city for a two-year stint with George Washington. The Patriots won the 2011 Class AAA state title behind the workings of the 6-8 wunderkind. If this transfer was questioned by the SSAC, it was squashed quickly.
This past fall, St. Albans super freshman basketball player Kevin Williams - he was well-publicized as the Daily Mail's Freshman of the Year last winter - transferred to South Charleston. There was little, to no, fanfare about that one.
Following his junior year, Sherrod Lacy departed GW's basketball program for St. Albans. No big deal? I didn't think it was, and, judging from the attention received, neither did the SSAC.
In 2009, GW's Dri Nazario - from Nitro - decided to call the South Hills school home and her transfer went off without a hitch.
Two of the key players for the South Charleston girls basketball team - Brittany Gordon and Keke Allen - began their careers at Nitro.
Dashawn Alexander, the stepson of former South Charleston star Robert Alexander, was made eligible to play for St. Albans this year. He then decided to transfer to Chapmanville and joined the Tigers in October.
I could go on, but that would take more space than available.
Maybe all of these were investigated.
Maybe none were.
Maybe the SSAC had good reasons for allowing them with nary a peep.
Adrian Cunningham is sitting at home, watching her senior basketball season go up in smoke.
I guess she's the first player to transfer schools with athletics in mind.
Or, she's the first one to -- more or less -- admit it to the state's high school activities governing body.
You know the SSAC ... it's the Mountain State's four-letter word.
In the spirit of full disclosure, I've had no qualms with the bulk of the decisions made by the Secondary School Activities Commission.
Since Mike Hayden helped cornerstone the reworking of the state's prep sports governing body when he replaced Warren Carter in January of 2000, the SSAC has been more forthcoming and willing to talk about their reasons for controversial decisions.
Current Executive Director Gary Ray has continued the accessibility of the SSAC.
They, unquestionably, dropped the ball on this one.
Cunningham's honesty should have been celebrated, not punished.
Let's look at some history to put this potentially ugly squabble into context.
Stop me if you heard these:
In 2007-08, TyQuane Goard played for Capital, then transferred to Mountain State Academy to play one year, and returned to the capital city for a two-year stint with George Washington. The Patriots won the 2011 Class AAA state title behind the workings of the 6-8 wunderkind. If this transfer was questioned by the SSAC, it was squashed quickly.This past fall, St. Albans super freshman basketball player Kevin Williams - he was well-publicized as the Daily Mail's Freshman of the Year last winter - transferred to South Charleston. There was little, to no, fanfare about that one.Following his junior year, Sherrod Lacy departed GW's basketball program for St. Albans. No big deal? I didn't think it was, and, judging from the attention received, neither did the SSAC.In 2009, GW's Dri Nazario - from Nitro - decided to call the South Hills school home and her transfer went off without a hitch.Two of the key players for the South Charleston girls basketball team - Brittany Gordon and Keke Allen - began their careers at Nitro.Dashawn Alexander, the stepson of former South Charleston star Robert Alexander, was made eligible to play for St. Albans this year. He then decided to transfer to Chapmanville and joined the Tigers in October.I could go on, but that would take more space than available.
Maybe all of these were investigated.
Maybe none were.
Maybe the SSAC had good reasons for allowing them with nary a peep.
Maybe all of them transferred for academic reasons (cough, cough).
The issue involving the highly controversial SSAC decision isn't the decision itself, it's more what sparked that decision.
Cunningham was a returning Class AA All-State player for Poca. After injuries and the departure of some players left the team shorthanded, the Dots' season ended after three losses.
Principal Vic Donalson took the heat for the program's suspension because of a lack of players.
Shortly thereafter, Cunningham decided a school change would be best.
She's a versatile player who would help the Patriots immensely on the floor. Cunningham mostly ran the point for Poca, but could play four positions - even at GW.
It sounds like the move was for athletic reasons, but the senior said this to the Daily Mail in early January: "I think this will be good for me academically. It should help me be better prepared for college."
Sound like a ruse?
Even if it is, Cunningham - a National Honor Society member with a grade point average in the 3.70 range - is taking advanced placement classes at GW (many courses that aren't offered at Poca).
Her transfer request reportedly was turned down because it was for athletic reasons.
Who is to say? Is it up to the SSAC to judge the intentions of students?
I guess if she were transferring for academic reasons, she should have thought of that after the eighth grade - when it was all legal-like.
Then again, there's a difference between remaining in school out of loyalty to the basketball program and friends and transferring as a senior because your school temporarily dumped its team.
Should she have nixed her senior basketball season in favor of "loyalty" to Poca High?
Would anybody else?
Hardly.
An appeal hearing is scheduled for Wednesday at the SSAC offices in Parkersburg.
I'm not sure how it will play out, but I have an idea what the result should be:
It's time to let players transfer carte blanche, for whatever reason they choose, as long as they make a physical move of their residence.
Contact Assistant Sports Editor Rich Stevens at richstev...@dailymail.com or 304-348-4837.
