NIAA decision complicates status of Quest Prep teams

Quest Prep began filling its high school basketball rosters with out-of-state boys and local girls transfer players before the school’s status was formally discussed with the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association.

An NIAA decision on Monday presented a scheduling hurdle for the state-sponsored charter school as its teams prepare for their debut seasons.

Quest Prep’s inquiry into whether its basketball teams could obtain recognized status by the NIAA was denied Monday at the NIAA’s Board of Control meeting in Sparks. The decision means Quest Prep this season will be unable to play any NIAA member schools, nor other state association schools under the umbrella of the National Federation of State High School Associations.

NIAA executive director Eddie Bonine said the association doesn’t have a membership category for Quest Prep, but he called the meeting positive.

“They are very genuine in the long-term plan for their school,” Bonine said.

Quest Prep began teaching high school classes this fall at the YMCA at 4141 Meadows Lane in Las Vegas. NIAA Southern Coordinator Bob Northridge, who conducted a facility review, said Quest Prep’s facilities were “fine” and had no impact on Monday’s outcome.

NIAA assistant director Donnie Nelson said Quest Prep did not submit a formal application for membership by the July 1 deadline.

“For lack of a better term, they’re stuck in no-man’s land when it comes to our handbook and regulations,” he said.

Quest Prep girls basketball coach Brian Sitter and athletic director Ennis Wesley couldn’t be reached for comment.