RIVERHEAD – The New York State Public High School Athletic Association’s attempt to bench a varsity basketball player with a promising career has been overturned by Supreme Court Justice Mary M. Werner, who ruled that its decision, based on his enrollment at another school and failing math grade last year, was irrational.
Justice Werner had issued a temporary restraining order that allowed 17-year-old Andre Lawrie to play for Half Hollow Hills West High School pending her final decision. A guard, he finished the season in mid-February and helped to propel his team to a 5-7 season, one win short of qualifying for the League IV playoffs. Justice Werner’s decision in Half Hollow Hills v. Section XI, 30674-01, was signed March 19. (The decision will be published in tomorrow’s Law Journal.)
