Eligibility of Smithville Basketball Transfer to LG Denied by the UIL

The U.I.L. state executive committee denied an appeal concerning the athletic eligibility of a senior girl who transferred to La Grange High School this year.

Ladonije Lewis, a 6’0” tall power forward who played basketball for Smithville High last year, transferred to La Grange High School over the summer. In a teleconference hearing with the U.I.L. state executive committee on Monday, Lewis’ mother testified that Lewis had been living with her father in Smithville, but that several health problems in their family had made it difficult for Lewis to attend high school there.

Lewis’ mother, who lives in La Grange, testified that her other younger children attend La Grange I.S.D.

Smithville girls basketball coach Jaimie Kadlecek testified that during a meeting with Lewis and her mother last school year, the mother inquired about transferring Lewis to La Grange over “issues” between herself and Lewis regarding the basketball team.

The district U.I.L. committee, led by Navasota superintendent Dr. Stu Musick, had previously voted 4-0 to deny Lewis athletic eligibility in La Grange. Musick testified that the committee determined Lewis’ transfer was for athletic purposes, which is against U.I.L. student-athlete participation rules. Musick said the district committee made their decision based on the inquiry Lewis’mother had made about transfering during the meeting with Coach Kadlecek last school year. Later in the hearing, Lewis’mother testified the health problems in their family arose after the meeting with Coach Kadlecek last school year and that the transfer was not for athletic purposes.

After hearing from both sides, the U.I.L. state executive committee led by Chairman Mike Motheral voted 3-0 to uphold the district committee decision. Lewis will remain ineligible to participate in athletics during her senior year.