Cimarron star transfers to Cheyenne

After transferring from Cimarron-Memorial to Cheyenne this month, boys basketball star Mike Cutright is ineligible to play at the moment, Cheyenne coach Teral Fair said Wednesday.

Cutright, a 6-foot-4-inch senior guard who has signed with Northwestern State, has been attending Cheyenne since Nov. 17.

If Cutright were to play for Cheyenne, he would help form a stellar backcourt with “best friend” Elijah Johnson, who has signed with Kansas.

But Cutright said he transferred solely for academic reasons with the support of his mother.

“The main reason I’m looking at it is academically,” Cutright said. “They have a college program over there. She wanted to send me over there to prepare for college.”

Cutright did not change addresses before the transfer.

Under Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association rules, students who transfer without moving are ineligible for sports in which they have previously participated for 180 days.

However, confusion surrounds Cutright’s case because Cheyenne is one of 14 empowerment schools in Clark County, which means its staff has increased freedom to make decisions.

Cutright said he thought “empowerment school athletes can play right away.” NIAA assistant director Donnie Nelson said there is no such precedent.

Clark County School District executive director of athletics Ray Mathis could not be reached for comment.

Cutright’s transfer was “totally a shock and unexpected,” Cimarron coach Steve Boyack said. Cutright averaged 26.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.4 steals and 2.1 blocks last year.