HS Basketball Star Drops Suit Against Athletic Association

Jay Hare

An Alabama high school basketball star who had been ruled ineligible to play has dropped her lawsuit against the Alabama High School Athletic Association shortly after her senior season ended.

Pike County Circuit Judge Sonny Reagan dismissed the suit Wednesday at the request of Maori Davenport's mother, Tara.

The Charles Henderson High School basketball star had sued the AHSAA and its director Steve Savarese after she was ruled ineligible for accepting a payment from USA Basketball. She played for Team USA in a tournament in Mexico last summer and received an $857.20 stipend, which was repaid by her family after they were made aware of the conflict.

The judge ordered Davenport's temporary reinstatement and the case was twice delayed, meaning the Rutgers signee was able to play the final five weeks of the season.

Charles Henderson was eliminated Wednesday at the Class 5A state regional.

Jim Williams, an attorney representing the AHSAA, says his side didn't have a chance to file an objection and "we did not consent to the dismissal."

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