HighSchoolOT has confirmed the Lake Norman, the No. 1 seed in the 4A West boys basketball state playoffs, has forfeited its spot in the postseason after discovering an ineligible player.

The decision came hours before tipping off a third round basketball game against 9-seed Myers Park. As a result of the forfeiture, Myers Park has advanced to the fourth round.

The story was first reported by Doug Coats of Queen City News.

In a press release sent to HighSchoolOT, the school announced that it discovered an ineligible player on the team roster and immediately complied with the NCHSAA regulations concerning the violation.

Lake Norman had a 27-1 record prior to any forfeits being applied. The Wildcats finished with an undefeated record in the Greater Metro 4A Conference, winning a conference championship. It remains to be seen if the conference title will be vacated.

According to MaxPreps’ computer ranking, Lake Norman was the No. 5 team in North Carolina heading into the third round.

Here is a copy of the press release from principal Bill Shapcott.

Lake Norman High School Varsity Men’s Basketball Team Concludes Season Unexpectedly Lake Norman High School has made the difficult decision to suspend its varsity boys’ basketball program for the remainder of the season due to an eligibility violation. The school discovered that an ineligible player had been included on the team roster, prompting immediate action to comply with North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) regulations.

Principal Bill Shapcott emphasized the school’s commitment to maintaining the program’s integrity.

“Our priority is to uphold the highest standards of sportsmanship and accountability in our athletic programs,” Shapcott explained. “While this situation is challenging for everyone involved, we must adhere to NCHSAA guidelines.”

The school administration is working closely with the NCHSAA to address the issue and strengthen eligibility verification processes. Despite this setback, Lake Norman High School remains dedicated to supporting its student-athletes and fostering a strong foundation for future success across all sports programs.

Anyone who has already purchased tickets for the varsity boys’ basketball game tonight, will be eligible for a refund.

For those seeking additional information, the Lake Norman High School Athletic Department is available to address any questions or concerns.