The IHSA on Tuesday gave an exemption to the Orion girls basketball team, allowing it to use freshman players in Wednesday's regional game against Ridgewood.

The team asked for the exemption after the suspension of nine of its players for a violation of team rules. Players can participate in four tournaments a year, which includes postseason play, IHSA rules state. The seven freshmen added to the roster already played in four tournaments on the freshman team.

"They were happy, espeically for our one senior who's still on the team (Kelly Hutton)," Orion coach John McBride said.

"I'm excited. I'm happy they made that decision, and I thought it was the correct decision."

Orion already was missing another player because of a torn ACL. Without the exemption, Orion would have had only three players on the roster.

The version of the Chargers that will take the court Wednesday against Ridgewood have played the past five games together, McBride said.

The exemption was needed because Orion never had any intention of using the freshmen in the regional tournament.

The Chargers are 7-21 heading into postseason play.

"They were nervous the first game or so, but now it's just another game," McBride said of his team's readiness to play in the postseason.

The suspended players are eligible to participate in upcoming sports and those that aren't seniors can play basketball next year, Orion athletic director Nathan DeBaillie said.

"They want to finish their year and move on," DeBaillie said.