By Darlene Hill, FOX 32 News reporter - bio | email
CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -
Three Sudanese basketball players can play for a suburban Chicago school's team thanks to a Kane County judge--but their long-term future on the team remains in doubt.
The three boys moved to Mooseheart two years ago. Makur Puou, a 6'10'' junior, and two others boys, who stand at 6'4'' and 7' are from the Sudan. They are varsity basketball players at Mooseheart School in Batavia giving their small school in the western suburbs hope for a good season. A fourth teenager from Africa ran cross-country.
"I am very happy. I'm very happy to play tonight," says Puou. "I really appreciate it. I know I came to the United Sates to get an education and play basketball."
But now, the reason for their move to America is being questioned.
"We really felt they fit our mission of children in need coming from a war-torn country that has had decades of civil war unrest and an opportunity to honor the memory of Manute Bol and helping children from his country," says Scott Hart with Mooseheart Child City and School."
School officials say they sat out one year but when a rival school saw the boys play, that coach lodged a complaint with the Illinois High School Association claiming Mooseheart "was seeking out athletes, and basketball players in particular."
The small residential school disputes the IHSA's contention, saying school officials told the agency that placed the teens that it would take Sudanese children whether or not they were athletes.
Judge David Akemann ruled Tuesday that the teens couldn't be benched until the Illinois High School Association hears arguments on the eligibility issue. That means the association can't prevent them from playing until an IHSA hearing next week in Bloomington.
"The district will have nothing to do with recruiting any student athletes," says Peter Rush, the school's attorney.
The team will play their big rival Wednesday night.
The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.
Saturday, May 25 2013 10:50 AM EDT2013-05-25 14:50:09 GMT
The tornado that struck Oklahoma on Monday took a devastating toll in the number of lives lost and property destroyed. But amidst the anguish and destruction there is another heart-wrenching tragedy.
The tornado that struck Oklahoma on Monday took a devastating toll in the number of lives lost and property destroyed. But amidst the anguish and destruction there is another "heart-wrenching" tragedy -- displaced pets.
Monday, February 25 2013 1:41 PM EST2013-02-25 18:41:37 GMT
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Thousands of athletes joined victims of the Boston Marathon bombings to run and walk the last mile of the race Saturday, reclaiming the triumph of crossing the finish line.
Thousands of athletes joined victims of the Boston Marathon bombings to run and walk the last mile of the race Saturday, reclaiming the triumph of crossing the finish line.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:53 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:53:03 GMT
Jeff Keppinger drove in the winning run on a single in the 11th and John Danks was solid in his season debut and the Chicago White Sox beat the Miami Marlins 4-3 on Friday night.
Jeff Keppinger drove in the winning run on a single in the 11th and John Danks was solid in his season debut and the Chicago White Sox beat the Miami Marlins 4-3 on Friday night.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:19 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:19:42 GMT
Joey Votto extended his hitting streak to 12 games with a homer, and Ryan Hanigan and Brandon Phillips also homered on Friday night, powering the Cincinnati Reds to their fourth straight win.
Joey Votto extended his hitting streak to 12 games with a homer, and Ryan Hanigan and Brandon Phillips also homered on Friday night, powering the Cincinnati Reds to their fourth straight win, 7-4 over the Chicago Cubs.
Friday, May 24 2013 1:09 PM EDT2013-05-24 17:09:25 GMT
Andrew McCutchen had three hits and two RBIs to lead the Pittsburgh Pirates past the Chicago Cubs 4-2 on a rainy Thursday for their fourth straight win.
Andrew McCutchen had three hits and two RBIs to lead the Pittsburgh Pirates past the Chicago Cubs 4-2 on a rainy Thursday for their fourth straight win.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:00 AM EDT2013-05-24 14:00:34 GMT
The Chicago Bears will retire former head coach Mike Ditka's No. 89. The Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end's number will be officially retired during halftime at the Bears' Monday Night Football game Dec. 9.
The Chicago Bears will retire former head coach Mike Ditka's No. 89. The Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end's number will be officially retired during halftime at the Bears' Monday Night Football game Dec. 9.
Thursday, May 23 2013 11:03 PM EDT2013-05-24 03:03:30 GMT
After losing Game 1, the seventh-seeded Red Wings have surged into control of the second round series by handing Chicago its first three-game losing streak of the year.
After losing Game 1, the seventh-seeded Red Wings have surged into control of the second round series by handing Chicago its first three-game losing streak of the year.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:26 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:26:38 GMT
Clay Buchholz pitched five-hit ball over seven innings to improve to 7-0, and the Boston Red Sox beat the Chicago White Sox 6-2 Wednesday night to avoid a three-game sweep.
Clay Buchholz pitched five-hit ball over seven innings to improve to 7-0, and the Boston Red Sox beat the Chicago White Sox 6-2 Wednesday night to avoid a three-game sweep.
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