AHSAA lifts temporary suspension of Valley basketball program

Published 3:33 pm Thursday, January 25, 2018

VALLEY — The Rams are in the clear.

On Thursday, the Alabama High School Athletic Association lifted a temporary suspension it had placed on the Valley High School basketball program following an investigation into an incident that forced a pair of cancellations earlier in the week.

The Valley Times-News received confirmation from Valley Athletic Director Adam Hunter that the basketball teams have been cleared to return to competition. The junior varsity boys, varsity girls and varsity boys squads will take the court on Friday at Beulah.

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No high school games were missed during the temporary suspension, which lasted about 24 hours. The suspension was instituted on Wednesday following an incident that occurred prior to the Lady Rams’ Tuesday night basketball game at Russell County High School in Seale, which is about 40 miles south.

Based on information gathered by the Times-News, a fight involving a Valley boys basketball player and multiple Russell County spectators broke out in the stands. The spectators were not believed to be members of the Russell County basketball program.

The scene halted the pregame warmup routine for Valley and Russell County and ultimately led to the cancellation of both girls and boys varsity contests. Only the junior varsity boys game was completed.

Chambers County School District Superintendent Kelli Hodge acknowledged the investigation, and incident, at Wednesday’s board of education meeting in LaFayette.