[HCS]

Basketball is tough - you only have five starting jobs and 15 or so on the varsity.
If the player "pushed aside" was behind his starters and behind the football players who may have been athletic enough to help a little, he's probably better off going with freshmen.
He already has seven or eight in grades 11-12 combined. That's probably too many if you're rebuilding. He sure didn't need any more if they aren't as good as what he has now.
Trying to win one or two more games this year, when you're rebuilding, isn't as important as getting some young guys experience.