PSAL boys basketball title game canceled amid eligibility scandal

An eligibility scandal involving more than one team led to the cancellation of the PSAL’s top-tier boys’ basketball championship game and sparked a push for oversight reform. 

New York City Department of Education chancellor David Banks said in a statement released Saturday that the league reinstituted its eligibility office, and for the first time in four years, performed random audits. 

Those audits found academic eligibility violations by Thomas Jefferson Campus, which disqualified it from the 4A playoffs on Tuesday. 

It began a ripple effect that ultimately led to the cancellation of Friday’s final at St. John’s between South Shore and Eagle Academy for Young Men II (Brooklyn) after South Shore was found in violation of “age eligibility” requirements, according to the statement. 

According to News 12, Jefferson’s violation led to its semifinal game against South Shore being canceled and the quarterfinal game the Orange Wave won being replayed between Eagle Academy for Young Men I (Bronx) and Stevenson.

After its victory, Eagle Academy (Bronx) was then disqualified from playing, and South Shore was automatically moved into the final.

Jefferson lost an in-person appeal Tuesday, according to the outlet.

“In simple terms — adults put the long-term future of young people second for momentary high school glory on the court,” Banks said in a statement. “These adults are not helping students, they are only helping themselves.”

Jefferson head coach Lawrence “Bud” Pollard and South Shore athletic director Pat Trani didn’t immediately respond to comment requests from The Post, and the chancellor’s office didn’t immediately respond to a request seeking clarification on whether Eagle II (Brooklyn) would be named champion following the most recent forfeit.

Staff members involved could face further consequences.

“We will not shy away from taking appropriate disciplinary action against any staff who chose to cheat in our athletic contests,” Banks said in the statement.

Top-seeded Eagle II (Brooklyn) advanced to the final by defeating Brooklyn Collegiate High School, 55-46, on March 9 at Queens College, giving them a chance to repeat as champion after winning the title last year.

South Shore, the No. 2 seed that defeated Eagle II for the championship in 2022, defeated Boys and Girls High School and James Monroe Campus to reach its semifinal matchup against Eagle Academy (Bronx).