A 23-year-old assistant basketball coach lost her job at a Virginia high school after impersonating a 13-year-old girl during an official game.
Arlisha Boykins, an assistant for Churchland HS Truckers in Virginia, made headlines after it was reported that she impersonated one of her players, a 13-year-old girl who was unable to participate in the match.
Footage that went viral last week shows Boykins, 22, hitting double layups, blocking the other team’s players and shooting free throws in the match against the Nansemond River team in a Virginia High School game. League (VHSL). Both Boykins and the head coach, who allegedly “encouraged such behavior”, were fired.
The curious news was first reported by the portal TMZ. Churchland High School officials later confirmed that the 23-year-old assistant coach had indeed played that game, facing girls at least 7 years her junior, but clarified that no school official had been present at that game, which was held. He played on the opponent’s court.
The Virginia High School League confirmed that it is aware of the situation, adding that it will allow the school to deal with punitive measures. Churchland officials have already announced the firing of Boykins and the head coach.
According to sources close to the team, the assistant coach decided to impersonate one of her pupils because the alternative was to enter the court with one less player, which would surely have made them lose the game.
“Coaches always preach to kids about integrity and that kind of thing, so I was surprised,” the father of one of the Churchland players told reporters.
After this controversial incident, Churchland High School held a meeting with parents and students and decided to leave the state basketball league for the current season.