Saturday, October 12, 2024

California High School Stripped of Basketball Title After Tortillas Incident

A predominantly white high school basketball team in Southern California has gotten their regional title revoked after tortillas were thrown at a mostly Latino opposing team following a championship game last month.

In a news release the California Interscholastic Federation stated, “After a thorough review and analysis of the incident following the conclusion of the Division 4-A regional basketball championship game between Coronado High School and Orange Glen High School, the (California Interscholastic Federation) state executive director reiterates that discriminatory and racially insensitive behaviors toward an opponent contravene the principles of education-based athletics.”

On June 19, Orange Glen High School’s predominantly Latino team lost the championship game to largely white Coronado High School. After the game, some members of the Coronado crowd threw tortillas at the opposing team’s following several heated disputes on the basketball court.

The federation also sanctioned Coronado’s basketball team and placed members on probation through the end of the 2024 school year. The team and its athletic staff are required to complete a sportsmanship, which includes training on racial and cultural sensitivity.

The news release also stated, “In this instance, there is no doubt the act of throwing tortillas at a predominately Latino team is unacceptable and warrants sanctions. The path towards real change comes with the development of empathy for those who are on the receiving end of this type of degrading and demeaning behavior, no matter the proffered intent of that behavior.”

CNN