A high school girls’ basketball game concluded in a forfeit at halftime following injuries sustained by three players during a matchup against a team reportedly featuring a male player standing six feet tall with facial hair.
According to a press release from the charter school, Collegiate Charter School of Lowell, the game against KIPP Academy was concluded prematurely by the coach due to multiple injuries, reflecting the school’s commitment to “inclusivity and safety.”
The press release stated, “The bench was already depleted going into the game with the 12-player roster having four players unable to play. When the coach saw three more girls go down in the first half, leaving him with five players, he made the call to end the game early.”
“Once the third player was injured, the remaining five expressed concern to him about continuing to play,” it continued. “The players feared getting injured and not being able to compete in the playoffs.”
The school affirmed its support for the coach’s decision to halt the game, underscoring its dedication to “inclusivity” and “equity.”
“The Charter School supports this decision and reiterates its values of both inclusivity and safety for all students,” the release emphasized. “We take the standards set by the MIAA and our Board of Trustees seriously and strive to uphold them on and off the court. We also follow the guidance from the MIAA and state laws regarding equity and access for all student-athletes.”
