HAZARD – The Kentucky High School Athletic Association has reportedly ruled a standout basketball transfer at Perry Central High School ineligible for the upcoming season, though an official with the local school board says there is an appeal underway.

Perry County School Board Chairman John C. Combs told the Herald Monday that he was informed last week of senior Jaysean Paige’s ineligibility.

As a junior at Jamestown High School in New York, Paige led the Red Raiders to the state AA semifinals, and was named player of the year. He transferred to Perry County Central High School in Hazard this year, and Combs noted that despite the KHSAA’s initial ruling, the case is scheduled for an appeal hearing on November 1 at which the ruling could be overturned.

Combs said Paige has been living with his family in the Christopher community of Perry County, and he thinks Paige should be ruled eligible to play for the Commodores.

“I think it would be a great injustice if they don’t rule him eligible,” Combs said.

Eldon May, sports information director with the Kentucky High School Athletic Association, declined to comment on the case, noting that any ruling of ineligibility is subject to appeal.

"Our official policy on those types of things is not to comment on individual students' eligibility cases," May said. "Once a decision is made, students have the opportunity ... to appeal, and we wouldn’t want to do anything to get in the way of that."