HS Basketball Team Removed from Playoffs for 'Illegal Uniforms', Wins Appeal

The Nathaniel Narbonne High School (Harbor City, California) girls' basketball team played its way into the City Section Open Division finals but was initially disqualified from the tournament for wearing illegal uniforms during its semifinal game. However, after appeal, the team will be allowed to play in the championship game after all.

During the team's 57-52 victory in the semifinals, the team wore special "breast cancer awareness" uniforms, which included pink letters and numbers. Although many teams in sports have worn similar uniforms, the Gauchos reportedly never got permission to wear them in the game.

Update from Tuesday, March 3

Narbonne has appealed the ruling and won, according to John Branch of The New York Times:

Los Angeles City Section commissioner John Aguirre issued a statement on the appeal, via Branch: “In the spirit of the game and for the kids, the appeals committee has decided to grant Narbonne’s request for reinstatement."

Although the team will be allowed to play in the championship game, its coach is suspended for the remainder of the season. Also, Narbonne will not be able to host any home playoff games next season.

---End of Update---

That turned out to be costly. The team was initially forced to forfeit its victory and was removed from the tournament due to the "illegal uniforms." 

Gina Silva of Los Angeles' Fox 11 has the story:

According to to the Los Angeles Times' Eric Sondheimer, the fact that the Gauchos were already on probation from last year played a role in the administrators' decision. During last year's state playoffs, a player who had received two technicals ended up playing illegally in the next game.

Narbonne was reportedly unaware that it needed a waiver to wear the uniforms. 

[Fox 11, h/t Deadspin]