Fuquay boys forced to forfeit wins; changes Tri-Eight playoff race

The Fuquay-Varina boys' basketball team has forfeited its wins from this season, the NCHSAA confirmed on Monday.

Fuquay had self-reported itself last week to the NCHSAA for using an ineligible player this year.

The Bengals were just 3-18 on the year and 1-11 in the Tri-Eight, but their transgression could cost others.

Their lone conference win had come at the expense of Lee County, which was previously tied for sixth in the conference at 3-9. With the forfeit, Lee is now tied with Green Hope for the fifth in the Tri-Eight at 4-8 (and only five teams from the Tri-Eight get playoff bids).

Lee and Green Hope play on Tuesday night, with the winner in the driver's seat for that final spot. Lee won the earlier match-up, so a win would eliminate Green Hope for fifth place in the Tri-Eight. 

Cary, which still has the outside chance of forcing a three-way tie with Lee and Green Hope and then winning a draw for the last playoff spot, suffered perhaps the biggest blow with the news of the forfeit.

At 3-9 in the Tri-Eight, Cary must now have everything go right to earn a 3-way tie. The Imps now need to win both of its games this week (to move to 5-9), and then hope that the winner of Green Hope-Lee County loses on Friday so that no team finishes 6-8 in conference play.

As hard as it sounds, it's still easier said than done. The Imps host conference-leading Panther Creek (20-2) on Tuesday before their senior-night game with Fuquay (0-21*) on Friday.