Duncanville boys basketball team opts out of ’22 postseason play

A major development for the Panthers this basketball season.

One of the best boys high school basketball teams in the country won’t be participating in the playoffs this year.

Duncanville (Texas) was recently penalized by the district over an ineligible player on last year’s team, which resulted in every win he played in – including a third-consecutive state championship – to be stripped.

Now, the team won’t be allowed to play in the UIL postseason this year, either. The decision was announced by Duncanville ISD Superintendent Dr. Marc Smith in a statement, per CBS DFW.

“The decision comes after the UIL stripped the team of its 2022 Class 6A state championship and placed the team on three years’ probation after ruling the team used an ineligible player. The family of the player sought and received six court orders from four different courts to allow him to keep playing. Duncanville ISD was not a party to the legal action, nor did it challenge the UIL’s earlier decision or take any legal action against the UIL. This was a legal dispute between a player, his family, and the UIL. At all times, Duncanville ISD followed the court orders.”

Duncanville has also suspended head coach David Peavy for the season.

At issue was the eligibility of star point guard Anthony Black, who has since enrolled at Arkansas. After a series of court battles, he was ruled ineligible. The team will be on probation for three years for the recruiting violation.

The Panthers began their 2022-2023 season on Saturday with a 73-65 win over Brennan (Texas).

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Duncanville boys basketball team stripped of state title, girls coach suspended

Duncanville (Texas) boys basketball team stripped of state 2022 title, girls coach suspended over alleged recruiting violation.

The best high school basketball team in the country last season has been stripped of its 2022 state title, according to a report by Greg Riddle at the Dallas Morning News.

After the UIL retroactively ruled him ineligible, Duncanville (Texas) has been forced to forfeit every game that senior guard Anthony Black played in.

Black averaged 13.5 points per game, 5.8 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game, helping lead Duncanville to its third straight state championship. However, the Texas Supreme Court vacated a court of appeals judgment that had allowed Black to play after transferring thanks to a restraining order filed by his mother against the UIL.

Head coach David Peavy – now married to Black’s mother – has been suspended. Black has since enrolled at Arkansas.

In related news, Duncanville’s girls basketball team is also getting a significant punishment. Riddle reports that head coach LaJeanna Howard has been suspended for one year over a recruiting violation.

The girls team has also been banned from the playoffs.

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2019-20 Super 25 Preseason Boys Basketball Rankings released

The Super 25 Preseason High School Boys Basketball Rankings have been released. Check out which teams make up the top 25.

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USA TODAY High School Sports is revealing the 2019-20 Super 25 Preseason Boys Basketball Teams. The Super 25 has been a staple of USA TODAY for more than 30 years and highlights the best teams around the nation.

Each post contains analysis, key players and more from USA TODAY Sports’ Jason Jordan in consultation with the USA TODAY High School Sports staff.

ALL-USA: 19-20 ALL-USA Preseason Boys Basketball Team

LOOKBACK: 2018-19 Final Super 25 Boys Basketball rankings

Click through to see each team:

No. 25 ARCHBISHOP STEPINAC

Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains, New York) stars AJ Griffin (21) and R.J. Davis (1) (Photo: Lonnie Webb Photography)

Location: White Plains, New York
Preseason Rank: 25
2018-19 record:
14-16
Final 2018-19 Super 25 ranking: Not Ranked

Last year, injuries early in the season prevented the team from living up to its potential record-wise. Archbishop Stepinac proved that in the playoffs, getting to the championship game.

A.J. Griffin and R.J. Davis combined for more than 45 points per game last season, but they’re more than just scorers. Griffin averaged a double-double with 10.9 rebounds and was an elite defender, putting up 3.5 blocks and 2.4 steals, and David had seven rebounds to go with 4.9 assists. All five starters are returning, and the team is getting back junior Jonah Phang, a 6-foot-8 center who missed last season due to a knee injury. With a healthy team, it will be exciting to see if the Crusaders can live up to expectations.