By SCOTT POWELL

Ledger Sports Writer

spowell@gaffneyledger.com

Former Gaffney High two-sport standout Nick Melton is not eligible to play sports at Dorman High.

The South Carolina High School League (SCHSL) ruled Melton ineligible Thursday afternoon, said Roger Hazel, an assistant executive director for the league. The decision was announced Friday after Gaffney and Dorman high school administrators were notified.

The Meltons recently moved to the Roebuck area in Spartanburg into the Dorman High School attendance area.

“We acknowledge that it was a bona fide change of address,” Hazel said. “Based on information from Gaffney High School, we believe the transfer was for athletic reasons.”

Efforts to reach Larry Melton, Nick’s father, for comment over the weekend were unsuccessful.

The South Carolina High School League changed its rules two years ago to deny transfer requests if schools could prove the student was leaving for athletic reasons, Hazel said.

Melton was a quarterback and wide receiver on the Gaffney High football team. He was a member of the 2003 state championship football team.

He was a starting guard on the school’s three-time state championship basketball team.

Hazel said the league changed its rules to keep students from transferring to schools because of unhappiness with coaches over issues such as playing time and position changes.

Larry Melton has said his son’s move to Dorman was to improve his academic opportunities. Nick Melton still has some options to keep his athletic eligibility for his senior year.

Melton could enroll at Gaffney High School again and keep his playing eligibility at the school.

The former Gaffney High student could file a hardship appeal with SCHSL Executive Director Jerome Singleton.

If the appeal to Singleton is not successful, Hazel said Melton could appeal the decision to the SCHSL Executive Committee.

Gaffney High Principal Dr. Quincie Moore is a member of the executive committee. The committee will meet July 29.

If the High School League ruling is overturned, Melton would be eligible to play at Dorman High immediately. He has been practicing with the Cavaliers football team and has attended several passing camps this summer.