BATAVIA – Four young men from war-ravaged South Sudan tower above their teachers and fellow students on the pastoral grounds of a century-old school in suburban Chicago.

Eighteen months after arriving – and just as they are beginning to feel at home – these athletes find themselves at center court in a controversy over high school sports recruiting as officials unravel exactly how they came to tiny Mooseheart High School.

The Illinois High School Association board will consider Monday whether the three basketball players and one cross-country runner are ineligible to compete for the Red Ramblers, after the coach of a rival school’s basketball team raised questions.