Westwind Prep appealed  boys basketball forfeitures for using an ineligible player before the Arizona Interscholatic Assocation's Executive Board on Tuesday, asking the board to rescind the forfeits and instead impose a postseason ban on the program this year.

The board, after lengthy discussion, accepted Westwind's request and the Warriors will not be allowed to compete in sectionals or state. Westwind's power-point record of 9-3 entering Tuesday's play will remain intact. Westwind's request, essentially for probation,  was an option under AIA penalty and appeals bylaw (Article 16.2.1.3).

That bylaw states that a "member school in violation submits a written request to the board that forfeiture(s) be rescinded based on the school's voluntary withdrawal from all postseason competition."

I've never seen a request by a school asking for probation," AIA associate executive director Chuck Schmidt said. "It was self-flagellation on their part. (Principal) Matt (Allen) made it clear their intent is to clean up the school."

Allen, who has gone from track coach to athletic director to principal in a whirlwind three years, and new boys basketball coach Adam Desautels told the board they were willing to take the consequences of the school's use of an ineligible player. Allen discovered the error that rendered one of  its players ineligible after the season began in November. Forfeiture of all games the ineligible player suited up for is the penalty, but the school made a plea for the board to consider another avenue.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Westwind Prep was 10th overall in Divison I boys basketball and third in its section (Section 3). If Westwind Prep finishes in the top eight of Section 3 at the end of the season the 9th-place team in the section would take the eighth spot at sectionals.