Nate Schneider
Sports Scene
One of the biggest prep stories in Michigan this winter has involved the MHSAA ruling Clarkston senior Thomas Kithier ineligible to play basketball following his transfer from Macomb Dakota.
The situation has become more contentious by the day, but ultimately the MHSAA has not budged on its decision that Kithier transferred to Clarkston for athletic motivations which is prohibited.
The MHSAA’s case is a valid one as Kithier is committed to Michigan State University and it believes he transferred to the defending Class A state champion Wolves to team up with fellow Spartans commit Foster Loyer. Transferring to a school of choice is allowed in Michigan as long as it is not for athletic reasons.
The transfer waiver from Kithier was delivered to Macomb Dakota in early August and within a week or two later, Dakota refused to sign off on it. Additionally, MHSAA executive director Jack Roberts agreed with the decision in an Oct. 31 ruling and cited that Kithier had spoken to local media about his desire to play on the same team as Loyer.
In a lawsuit filed in late December by the Kithier family, they state that Thomas moved into an apartment in Clarkston in early August. Transfer options had been looked at, according to the Kithiers, since his sophomore year due to Dakota not offering certain classes he needed.
But the arguments have not been enough to convince the MHSAA that the transfer reasons were solely for basketball and Kithier teaming up to play with Loyer and a loaded Clarkston squad would create an unnecessary superteam. One in which Kithier would be breaking Michigan transfer rules and therefore his senior season is lost because of his decision to not stay at Macomb Dakota.
It’s an unfortunate situation, but one that would have been avoidable had the Kithier family played by the transfer rules set by the MHSAA and the state of Michigan.
As for the Clarkston boys basketball team, it is getting along just fine even if it is without an outstanding player in Kithier. The Wolves come in with an 11-1 record and secured their sixth straight victory Jan. 25 with a 61-48 home triumph over West Bloomfield.
Clarkston played again Jan. 30 at Hazel Park in a game that took place after our print deadline, while the Wolves are back home on Feb. 2 versus Bloomfield Hills.