Parkside school officials release statement addressing claims of racism in state playoff game
SALISBURY, Md- Wicomico County Public School Officials have released a statement regarding the ending of Kent Island and Parkside’s playoff game from February 24.
The statement reads below:
“Wicomico County Public Schools is pleased to have many of its high school students participating in educationally based athletics. The opportunity to develop new skills and garner valuable life lessons through tryouts, practices and games is important for our athletes and families. Regardless of the outcome of each game, it is vitally important that the game be played in a safe environment for all team members and fans.
Unfortunately, that cannot be said of the Feb. 24 boys basketball playoff game at Kent Island, despite Parkside’s principal having had proactive communication with Kent Island’s principal prior to game day about making sure there was a healthy atmosphere for competition. While the information-gathering process is ongoing, we can already share that Parkside players, coaches and fans have reported hearing racial slurs and race-based derogatory comments before and during the game. These comments came both from Kent Island players and fans and led directly to incidents late in the game including verbal and physical confrontations between players and coaches, fans coming onto the court, and both teams being cleared to their locker rooms so order could be restored. Though the outcome of the game was still very much in doubt, the visiting Parkside High team ended the game by forfeit from the locker room because it did not seem safe for the Parkside players to return to the court.The outcome of that game on Feb. 24 is settled, but our review of the circumstances of the game at Kent Island is continuing. There appear to be issues of concern to be addressed by both schools involved. We will be completing our investigation and meeting with all parties involved at both schools and from both school systems. We will include representatives from our communities in these discussions to ensure that circumstances like these do not occur in a game involving our student athletes again.
In a spirit of cooperation, and out of a desire to provide a good experience for all athletes as the playoffs continue, Wicomico County Public Schools and Queen Anne’s County Public Schools agreed to limited attendance at both the Monday Parkside girls at Kent Island game and the Tuesday Kent Island at Wicomico High game. It should be noted, however, that Wi-Hi is in no way involved in the ongoing review of game safety concerns.
This is not the first time that different WCPS schools and teams have reported hearing similar racially derogatory language or seeing racially derogatory actions by Kent Island students. There is much to discuss and work out by both counties regarding this issue to determine how we will move forward. Wicomico County Public Schools is committed to continuing to provide a good, safe game atmosphere at its home contests, for both teams and fans, and we will accept nothing less when our teams travel.”
