(10-11-23) Two Indiana High School boys basketball programs have been placed on probation by the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA), Fishers and Heritage Christian.

Heritage Christian will have to vacate all their wins from the past two seasons and return all revenue received from the Association for the violations.

Fishers Head Coach Garrett Winegar and Former Assistant Coach Derrick Williams are placed on probation through the summer of 2024.

IHSAA commissioner Paul Neidig told the Indy Star–

“Ultimately, Heritage Christian did the right thing. We had begun an investigation a couple of years ago even. Information came forward from Heritage Christian that was not what we originally believed to be the case. Based on that new information, it was discovered that there was a bylaw violation.”

Fishers High School Athletic Director Rob Seymour told WISH-TV–

“We were asked by the IHSAA to have an investigation of our boys basketball program in regards to a recruitment violation and we did a thorough investigation. Through that investigation, we found that one of our former coaches had violated a recruitment by-law by the IHSAA. Once we concluded our investigation, then yes, we did give our findings back to the IHSAA.”

From IHSAA Executive Committee Meeting Minutes – October 5th, 2023

Fishers – Boys Basketball – Rule 20-1 (Recruiting a prospective student-athlete prior
to the student’s enrollment at Fishers High School)

  • The Fishers boys basketball program is placed on probation through the
    summer of 2024. This probation is a severe type of warning. It is official notice
    that unacceptable and serious violations have occurred, are a matter of record
    and future incidents by the head coach, assistant coaches, or any individual
    involved in the Fishers program may result in the team being suspended from
    future IHSAA Boys Basketball Tournament(s).
  • Head Coach Garrett Winegar and Former Assistant Coach Derrick Williams
    are placed on probation through the summer of 2024     (Rule 7-1.4f).
  • In accordance with Rule 9-16b (3) all contracted opponents may withdraw
    from an existing contest contract if their opponent was in violation of Member
    School By-Law, Rule 20 Undue Influence. All contracted Boys Basketball
    opponents for the 2023-24 school year shall be notified of this Rule 20 violation
    and given the option to withdraw from an existing contract. Please include
    Assistant Commissioner Brian Lewis on all communication with contracted
    opponents.

Heritage Christian is a member of the Circle City Conference, according to MaxPreps in 2021-22 they were 12-12 overall and 4-3 in conference play. Last season they were 11-12 overall and 2-3 in the conference.

Heritage Christian – Boys Basketball – Rule 20-1 & 20-2 (Recruiting transfer students
prior to their enrollment to Heritage Christian ) (Allowing student-athletes to
participate on the boys varsity basketball team after transferring with a past link to
the program)

  1. Heritage Christian will vacate all wins of the (2021-22) and (2022-23) Boys’
    Basketball Seasons. (Rule 17-7.1(d)).
  2. Heritage Christian’s Boys’ Basketball Program is placed on probation for a
    period not to exceed Three-hundred Sixty-five (365) days. Further incidents
    may result in the suspension from future IHSAA Boys’ Basketball
    Tournaments. (Rule 17-7.1(c)(4)).
  3. Heritage Christian is not permitted to host any Boys’ IHSAA Basketball
    Tournaments during its probationary period. (Rule 17-7.1(d)).
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  4. Per (Rule 3-9), the contests in which the ineligible student-athletes
    participated shall be forfeited and the opposing schools shall be notified of
    forfeitures.
  5. Heritage Christian must forfeit all revenues generated from the Association,
    including but not limited to, Sectional Contests for both the (2021-22) and
    (2022-23) seasons. (Rule 17-7.1(c)(3)). The funds need to be returned to the
    schools in accordance with the instructions provided below.
  6. Per (Rule 9-16b (3)) all contracted opponents may withdraw from an existing
    contest contract if their opponent was in violation of Member School By-Law,
    Rule 20, Undue Influence.
    a. All contracted Boys Basketball opponents for the (2023-24) school year
    shall be notified of this Rule 20 violation and given the option to
    withdraw from an existing contract.
    b. Please include Assistant Commissioner Brian Lewis on all
    communication with contracted opponents.