It’s a win for Dorman as Cavs get OK to play in postseason basketball event
The Dorman boys basketball team has been given approval to participate in one of the most prestigious tournaments in the country.
The South Carolina High School League voted 17-0 to allow the three-time Class 5A champions to play in the The GEICO Nationals.
The GEICO Nationals features eight of the top boys and girls basketball teams in the country in a single-elimination tournament at Christ The King High School in New York City. The event is televised on ESPN networks.
“I’m proud of this decision and opportunity for our kids,” Dorman basketball coach Thomas Ryan said. “”We are going to work to hard to represent our region, state, community and the way people look at them for who they are individuals and not just athletes.”
Dorman received an official invitation on Friday and Dorman athletic director Flynn Harrell said he plans to sign the contract. The Cavis are ranked No. 3 by ESPN and No. 4 by MaxPreps. The Cavs would be the first team from South Carolina to be invited to the Geico Nationals. The team features two Top-150 prospects — Clemson signee power forward PJ Hall and Butler signee point guard Myles Tate.
The Cavaliers are trying to become the first boys team since Calhoun County to win four straight titles from 2006-09. No school in the state’s top classification has won four in a row..
The South Carolina High School League denied Dorman’s initial request to play in the event because it is during a dead period for outside activity. The league’s handbook also says teams can’t participate in “out of state games that is construed as a postseason or bowl game.”
SCHSL commissioner Jerome Singleton said the league was upholding the rules in the league by laws.
Dorman officials offered to give up any practice days they would spend preparing for the tournament out of the ones used during the summer from the 20 days each team gets from Sept. 16-Oct. 30. They would also give up to three games they would do over the summer of the 10 they are allowed by league rules.
Still, there was plenty of discussion raised during the 45-minute appeal from the event such as the event not being sanctioned by the National Federation and if this would open up more problems and headaches in the future.
“We don’t want to unleash the beast,” one committee member said.
But Dorman officials and other committee members pointed out the benefits of having a chance to the Cavaliers to play in national spotlight and represent the state of South Carolina. There will also be educational beneifts while the team is in New York. In the past, teams were taken to Ellis Island, Statue of Liberty and 9/11 Memorial.
Plus, the SCHSL gains to benefit off of Dorman’s appearance. GEICO pays the league $10,000 for having Dorman in the event. GEICO also will pay all of Dorman’s expenses for the trip.
“This is bigger than the Dorman community or South Carolina,” said Baron Davis committee member and Richland 2 Superintendent. “It gives us the opportunity to showcase our students and our athletes on a national level, and I have to support that.”
The league’s initial decision sparked outrage among high school fans and coaches around the state. A #FreeDorman hashtag circulated on Twitter and a petition was started on change.org that got more than 4,000 supporters.
Scott Talley and Shane Martin, SC state senators from Districts 12 and 13, also wrote a letter to Singleton on Dorman’s behalf.
The Dorman ruling might force changes in this future. to league rules. The topic came up two years ago at the annual spring meeting in Charleston but there wasn’t much movement on it. Now, there might be more discussion on it.
The earliest a change could come to the by-laws regarding this would be the 2021 spring athletic directors meeting.
“This is going to open up for ADs and principals for them to take a hard look at this,” Ryan said. “Coming down here, we thought what was the best for our student athletes to participate on a national level regardless of sport. Now the time has come. Things aren’t the same as they were fifteen to twenty years ago. There is opportunities out there for our state to be front runner to allow that opportunity.”
This story was originally published February 12, 2020 at 1:03 PM.
