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Eagles' participation comes under scrutiny

Kiana Robinson, the county player of the year, may have violated FHSAA rules with her appearance in a charity all-star game.

By EMILY NIPPS, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published August 22, 2002

BRANDON -- Brandon athletic director Mike Burnett is gathering information on Kiana Robinson's participation in a charity all-star game. There is a possibility her participation could jeopardize her eligibility to play her senior season.

Robinson, the Times Hillsborough County Player of the Year, was the county's leading scorer last season. She averaged 28 points and 10 rebounds per game and is expected to be one of the nation's top college prospects as a senior.

Without Burnett's knowledge, Robinson played in the Shaquille O'Neal Celebrity Basketball Weekend All-Star game Sunday. Florida High School Activities Association bylaw 11.10.1 states: "A student who participates in an all-star contest in a sport, prior to completing his/her interscholastic eligibility in that sport, will be ineligible to represent any member school in that sport for a period of one calendar year from the date of participation in the all-star contest."

Dan Boyd, the FHSAA's compliance officer, said he called Brandon principal Rebecca Anderson after receiving a phone call Tuesday about Robinson's participation in the game. No official complaint has been filed with the FHSAA, and the FHSAA will not investigate the situation further until hearing back from Brandon administrators.

"I don't know that a problem exists," Boyd said. "I'm sure (Anderson) will write up something on the matter, and we'll analyze it and see."

Because the all-star game was part of a charity event, the bylaw might not apply to Robinson, Burnett said. "To be real honest, I don't fully understand the FHSAA's position with the bylaw," Burnett said. "But I understand that they need to have control over the athletic season, and I clearly know this is something we need to look into."

Robinson and her family declined to comment for this article.

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