The Supreme Court on Thursday allowed a 12-year-old transgender student who identifies as a girl to continue competing on a West Virginia middle school sports team while a lawsuit over the state ban proceeds in lower courts.

The justices declined to act on a petition sent to them regarding an appeals court order that made it possible for the student, Becky Pepper-Jackson, to maintain a place on the school's track and cross-country teams.

SUPREME COURT COULD TAKE FIRST TRANSGENDER SPORTS CASE AFTER APPEAL FROM WEST VIRGINIA SOCCER PLAYER

Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas wrote they would have allowed the state law to be enforced against the student.

This is a developing story and will be updated.