Amador Valley High School’s boys’ basketball team has been hit with severe sanctions after a series of eligibility and recruiting violations were uncovered, casting a shadow over the program’s recent successes.
Penalties imposed
The North Coast Section imposed a two‑year probation on the program and barred the team from postseason competition for the 2026‑2028 seasons, while also forcing the forfeiture of games played during the 2025‑2026 campaign and adjusting the team’s official record to reflect the ineligible participants.
The athletic department itself was placed on a parallel two‑year probation, though other school teams were left untouched by the sanctions.
In a move the administration says underscores its commitment to transparency, the school self‑reported the infractions to the Section and has since rolled out a series of corrective measures, including mandatory annual compliance training for all coaches and administrators, tighter verification of residency and transfer eligibility, and upgraded athletic‑clearance paperwork.
Potential review
The Section has indicated that the second year of postseason ineligibility may be lifted if the program can demonstrate a clean record throughout the probation period, with no further violations reported.
School leaders emphasize that rebuilding trust will require sustained effort, aiming to foster an environment where integrity, accountability and excellence become the norm for all student‑athletes.