A federal judge has ruled that a Kentucky school district is discriminating against boys by only allowing girls to play basketball at more than one grade level.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reports U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell said Friday that Laurel County Schools needs to change or end its "Play Up, Stay Up" policy. An October lawsuit by Laurel Commonwealth's Attorney and parent Jackie Steele says the policy violates Title IX, which prohibits sex discrimination in a federally-assisted educational activity.

It says Steele's son wanted to play for more than one grade level's basketball team, but the district only allowed girls to do so. Laurel County Schools attorney Larry Bryson said that was because there weren't enough girl players.

Bryson says the board will discuss the judge's order this week.