Why was Mansfield Lake Ridge boys basketball team booted from the UIL state playoffs?
Mansfield Lake Ridge was removed from the UIL Texas high school boys basketball Class 6A Division I bracket due to playing an ineligible player in a 71-35 area round victory vs. Eastlake on Friday, Feb. 21, Mansfield ISD Athletics confirmed to the Star-Telegram.
As a result, the Eagles’ regional semifinal game that was scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 25, has been canceled.
No. 15 Flower Mound Marcus will advance to the regional finals. Depending on results, Marcus will face No. 2 Allen or No. 9 North Crowley.
Lake Ridge, ranked No. 3 in Class 6A by the Texas basketball by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches, was one of the favorites to win a state championship. The Eagles were also nationally ranked at No. 22 by Max Preps.
When Mansfield ISD athletics learned of the infraction, the department self-reported the incident to the University Interscholastic League. The UIL constitution and contest rules state that the area round game must be forfeited, which removes Lake Ridge from the playoffs.
This story was originally published February 25, 2025 at 4:11 PM.
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