New Peoria High boys basketball coach Mike Serwa believed his team would have a chance to compete for the Class 4A Division I West Valley Region title this winter if Lawrence Pierce were to be declared eligible after transferring from Glendale Deer Valley.

On Tuesday, Serwa could rest a bit easier after Pierce, a 6-foot-4 junior, was declared eligible by the Arizona Interscholastic Association. Pierce averaged 9.7 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists last season.