Tayshaun “Rue” Wells wants to finish his senior year of high school in a safe environment, playing the sport he loves.But a 5-to-4 decision by the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) board of directors last week has cast doubt on his varsity basketball season—for now.Wells is a high-IQ point guard, a “floor general” […]
Tayshaun “Rue” Wells wants to finish his senior year of high school in a safe environment, playing the sport he loves.But a 5-to-4 decision by the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) board of directors last week has cast doubt on his varsity basketball season—for now.Wells is a high-IQ point guard, a “floor general” with excellent instincts and defensive skills. He led his Springfield Central Bulldogs to Missouri’s final four high school basketball tournament last season with a 25-7 record.In Springfield, however, he experienced bullying and lived in an unsafe neighborhood.This summer, with his parents’ blessing, Wells decided to move in with a teammate from his AAU summer basketball team to finish his senior year at Liberty High School, two and a half hours away from home.“I chose to come up here. I was never recruited,” Wells said. “If that was the case, then I would have just stayed at Central.”His AAU teammate’s dad, Steve Mortimer, became his legal guardian. Mortimer acknowledges the chances of another state tournament run may have been higher in Springfield.But he saw an opportunity to invest in Wells’ future.“No one’s ever said it’s been about basketball,” Mortimer said. “No one’s ever said it’s been about a recruiting trip or anything else. It’s just been about the safety and well-being of Rue.”Rue’s Move to Liberty from SpringfieldRue Wells no longer has to worry about police coming to his home or gunshots in his neighborhood. He is also free from the harassment and bullying he endured.“As a good parent, you want to see your kids succeed,” said Wells’ mother, Angela Hitchcock.Hitchcock approved her son’s move to Liberty for his safety, away from threats of violence or harm.“He’d go down to the park, and there were always fights, shootings,” she said. “It was just not a safe place.”Hitchcock talks to her son every day. She told KMBC she is treating his move like his first year away at college or a prep school. She is grateful for the Mortimer family’s offer to allow Rue to live with them.“It takes a village,” she said.Hitchcock, Mortimer, and Wells believe he deserves a shot at playing varsity basketball for Liberty.Right now, he can practice with the team and play on the junior varsity squad.But they believe varsity-level exposure accelerates his scholarship opportunities. Wells already has an offer to play at a community college in Kansas. They know his stock can rise even more from playing with the varsity Blue Jays.Questions About the Transfer ProcessHigh school sports fans have long lamented when a star player is recruited to a rival school for competitive reasons.But this isn’t that type of case, Mortimer, Wells, and Hitchcock argued before the MSHSAA board of directors last week.They cited letters of recommendation written by Liberty High and Springfield Central principals in support of Wells’ senior year basketball eligibility at Liberty.“Granting him eligibility would recognize his hard work, reinforce the values of fairness and opportunity, and allow him to finish his high school career with the balance, connection, and fulfillment that basketball brings to his life,” said Liberty High School principal Dr. Mike Sharp in a letter of recommendation for Wells.Springfield Central principal Jeremy Brown said the passion and leadership Wells displayed to staff, students, and the community will guide his success in any avenue he pursues.“I hope you will strongly consider giving Mr. Wells an opportunity to pursue his dreams of playing his senior basketball season at Liberty High,” Brown said in his recommendation letter.MSHSAA has a long list of bylaws to prevent students from transferring schools for competitive reasons. There is a hardship exception.However, the MSHSAA board ultimately did not agree that Wells’ case constituted a hardship last week.That decision is tough for Mortimer, Wells, and Hitchcock to understand.An MSHSAA spokesman declined to comment to KMBC 9 Investigates, citing federal student privacy laws.A Springfield School District spokeswoman said that since Wells is no longer a student at Springfield Public Schools, the district did not have a statement related to MSHSAA’s decision.Liberty Schools released this statement to KMBC:”Our district has been a longtime member of the Missouri State High School Activities Association and has been in good standing with MSHSAA for many years. There is a process in place with the state when questions of eligibility status of students involved in extracurricular activities are brought forward. While we may not always agree with decisions, we will honor and respect the decisions made by the state association.”Mortimer is exploring legal options with MSHSAA to ensure Wells can play varsity basketball.Asked why he chose to speak publicly about the situation, Mortimer didn’t hesitate.“Rue,” he said. “He’s already dealt with things that many kids will never know. And to me, it’s about something more than just basketball. It’s about him as a young man.”Wells, meanwhile, is hopeful to see playing time this season, away from the concerns back in Springfield.“I just want to be in a better spot where I don’t have to worry about any of that,” he said. “And I can play basketball with my head mentally there.”
Tayshaun “Rue” Wells wants to finish his senior year of high school in a safe environment, playing the sport he loves.
But a 5-to-4 decision by the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) board of directors last week has cast doubt on his varsity basketball season—for now.
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Wells is a high-IQ point guard, a “floor general” with excellent instincts and defensive skills. He led his Springfield Central Bulldogs to Missouri’s final four high school basketball tournament last season with a 25-7 record.
In Springfield, however, he experienced bullying and lived in an unsafe neighborhood.
This summer, with his parents’ blessing, Wells decided to move in with a teammate from his AAU summer basketball team to finish his senior year at Liberty High School, two and a half hours away from home.
“I chose to come up here. I was never recruited,” Wells said. “If that was the case, then I would have just stayed at Central.”
His AAU teammate’s dad, Steve Mortimer, became his legal guardian. Mortimer acknowledges the chances of another state tournament run may have been higher in Springfield.
But he saw an opportunity to invest in Wells’ future.
“No one’s ever said it’s been about basketball,” Mortimer said. “No one’s ever said it’s been about a recruiting trip or anything else. It’s just been about the safety and well-being of Rue.”
Rue’s Move to Liberty from Springfield
Rue Wells no longer has to worry about police coming to his home or gunshots in his neighborhood. He is also free from the harassment and bullying he endured.
“As a good parent, you want to see your kids succeed,” said Wells’ mother, Angela Hitchcock.
Hitchcock approved her son’s move to Liberty for his safety, away from threats of violence or harm.
“He’d go down to the park, and there were always fights, shootings,” she said. “It was just not a safe place.”
Hitchcock talks to her son every day. She told KMBC she is treating his move like his first year away at college or a prep school. She is grateful for the Mortimer family’s offer to allow Rue to live with them.
“It takes a village,” she said.
Hitchcock, Mortimer, and Wells believe he deserves a shot at playing varsity basketball for Liberty.
Right now, he can practice with the team and play on the junior varsity squad.
But they believe varsity-level exposure accelerates his scholarship opportunities. Wells already has an offer to play at a community college in Kansas. They know his stock can rise even more from playing with the varsity Blue Jays.
Questions About the Transfer Process
High school sports fans have long lamented when a star player is recruited to a rival school for competitive reasons.
But this isn’t that type of case, Mortimer, Wells, and Hitchcock argued before the MSHSAA board of directors last week.
They cited letters of recommendation written by Liberty High and Springfield Central principals in support of Wells’ senior year basketball eligibility at Liberty.
“Granting him eligibility would recognize his hard work, reinforce the values of fairness and opportunity, and allow him to finish his high school career with the balance, connection, and fulfillment that basketball brings to his life,” said Liberty High School principal Dr. Mike Sharp in a letter of recommendation for Wells.
Springfield Central principal Jeremy Brown said the passion and leadership Wells displayed to staff, students, and the community will guide his success in any avenue he pursues.
“I hope you will strongly consider giving Mr. Wells an opportunity to pursue his dreams of playing his senior basketball season at Liberty High,” Brown said in his recommendation letter.
MSHSAA has a long list of bylaws to prevent students from transferring schools for competitive reasons. There is a hardship exception.
However, the MSHSAA board ultimately did not agree that Wells’ case constituted a hardship last week.
That decision is tough for Mortimer, Wells, and Hitchcock to understand.
An MSHSAA spokesman declined to comment to KMBC 9 Investigates, citing federal student privacy laws.
A Springfield School District spokeswoman said that since Wells is no longer a student at Springfield Public Schools, the district did not have a statement related to MSHSAA’s decision.
Liberty Schools released this statement to KMBC:
“Our district has been a longtime member of the Missouri State High School Activities Association and has been in good standing with MSHSAA for many years. There is a process in place with the state when questions of eligibility status of students involved in extracurricular activities are brought forward. While we may not always agree with decisions, we will honor and respect the decisions made by the state association.”
Mortimer is exploring legal options with MSHSAA to ensure Wells can play varsity basketball.
Asked why he chose to speak publicly about the situation, Mortimer didn’t hesitate.
“Rue,” he said. “He’s already dealt with things that many kids will never know. And to me, it’s about something more than just basketball. It’s about him as a young man.”
Wells, meanwhile, is hopeful to see playing time this season, away from the concerns back in Springfield.
“I just want to be in a better spot where I don’t have to worry about any of that,” he said. “And I can play basketball with my head mentally there.”
