Vandebilt Catholic (Louisiana) girls basketball team forfeits its Division II select semifinal game

Lady Terriers "inadvertently" used an ineligible player; Madison Prep automatically advances to title contest

One night before planning to play its Division II select semifinal, Vandebilt Catholic's girls basketball team suddenly shut down its season. 

The Lady Terriers forfeited their semifinal game against Madison Prep due to the team having used an ineligible player earlier in their postseason run. The announcement was made by Vandebilt Catholic principal Ginny Medina-Hamilton in an e-mail that was released late Tuesday night by the Louisiana High School Athletic Association.

In Division II select, No. 2 Vandebilt Catholic forfeited its semifinal game against No. 3 Madison Prep, which had been set for Wednesday afternoon. 

“Vandebilt Catholic High inadvertently allowed a student athlete to participate as a member of our girls basketball team who did not meet the academic requirements of the LHSAA for the close of the fall semester," Medina-Hamilton said in the e-mail released by the LHSAA. "This error was discovered during routine grade checks, and Vandebilt self-reported to the LHSAA as is our responsibility.

As a result, Madison Prep (24-10) will receive a victory by forfeit and automatically advance to the Division II select championship game, which will be set for 2 p.m. Saturday in Hammond. The Lady Chargers, who were seeded third entering postseason play, will face the winner of Thursday's semifinal game between No. 1 Lafayette Christian Academy and No. 5 Bunkie.

Pairings announced for Louisiana girls 'Marsh Madness' state basketball tournaments 

Vandebilt Catholic (21-6), which was the No. 2 seed entering the postseason, was in the midst of a 13-game winning streak and had breezed past its two playoff opponents by 36-point margins.

The Lady Terriers had one senior - guard Gabrielle Campbell - listed on the roster. Vandebilt Catholic was looking to win its second state title.

-- Mike Coppage | @SBLiveLA