GHS will challenge athlete’s transfer effort

By LARRY HILLIARDLedger Sports Editorlarry@gaffneyledger.com

NICK MELTON Gaffney High administration and athletic officials intend to challenge the decision of a Gaffney High student athlete to transfer to Dorman High School.

Gaffney High Principal Dr. Quincie Moore said Tuesday school officials contend the pending transfer of Nick Melton to Dorman is for athletic reasons and is not a bona fide transfer under South Carolina High School League (SCHSL) rules.

Bona fide transfers are immediately eligible to play sports at their new school. Students who change schools not in accordance with SCHSL transfer rules must sit out a year before regaining their eligibility.

Melton passed for more than 1,000 yards as a junior last season but was moved to wide receiver after his return from an injury. He was expected to compete for the starting quarterback position this season with rising junior Malcolm Long. Dorman Shrine Bowl quarterback Mychal Belcher has graduated.

Larry Melton, father of Nick Melton, said last week his son will enroll at Dorman to “improve his academic opportunities.”

Melton said the family is in the process of moving to Roebuck.

A SCHSL representative said there is typically no formal appeals hearing in a transfer case. Instead, Dorman High School will send Melton’s transfer paperwork to the SCHSL.

Roger Hazel, SCHSL assistant executive director, will review the paperwork to “determine if anything is out of the ordinary,” the SCHSL representative said.

Hazel then is expected to contact Gaffney High School officials, who will express their concerns, according to Moore.

If Hazel approves the transfer, Melton will be eligible to play football this fall at Dorman. If Hazel sides with Gaffney High School officials, Melton would have to sit out this year and lose his remaining year of eligibility.

Hazel was attending a meeting of high school league officials in Texas and unavailable to discuss the transfer request.

Melton was a key member of Gaffney’s 2003 Big 16 state championship football team and 3-time defending Class 4A basketball champions.

The Meltons left Thursday for a quarterback camp in San Diego. Melton also attended the Elite 11 Quarterback Camp at Georgia Tech and the Nike Camp at the University of Georgia.

He’s considered among the top prospects in the state, according to Tom Lemmings’ National Prep Football Report.

Attempts to reach Larry Melton were unsuccessful.