By The Associated Press

BLOOMINGTON - The head of a suburban Chicago high school says he's pleased that the Illinois High School Association will allow four Sudanese students to play sports.

The IHSA ruled yesterday that three basketball players and one cross-country runner can compete for tiny Mooseheart High School. But the association said Mooseheart is ineligible to participate in the 2013 end-of-year state basketball series until it completes IHSA directives. 

Mooseheart Executive Director Scott Hart says the school is ``more than willing'' to make the changes necessary to get off probation.

The IHSA got involved after the coach of a rival high school's basketball team raised questions about A-HOPE, an Indiana-based foundation that paid for the four Sudanese athletes to come to the United States.

The IHSA said A-HOPE took advantage of the students.