Judge blocks probation, lets Coolidge HS continue in state basketball tournament

PHOENIX – A judge cleared the way for the Coolidge High School boys’ basketball team to continue its quest for a state championship after the school’s athletic program was put on probation by the Arizona Interscholastic Association.

A Pinal County judge on Friday granted a temporary restraining order to reinstate the team into the 3A tournament.

On Wednesday, the AIA put the school’s entire athletic program on probation, ruling all teams ineligible for postseason play for a year amid reports of racist behavior during a Feb. 20 playoff win over a visiting team from the Navajo Nation. Chinle High School players allegedly were spit on and subjected to racial slurs and taunts at the game.

The AIA Executive Board voted to uphold the probation at an emergency appeals hearing, but Coolidge successfully petitioned the court to keep the boys’ basketball team in the playoffs.

When will Coolidge High School play next tournament game?

Coolidge will now play Snowflake High School in a semifinal game at 3:45 p.m. Saturday at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

That semifinal game was scheduled for Friday morning before Coolidge was put on probation. The 3A final is set for 3 p.m. Thursday at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

“The 3A championship game has been postponed and the AIA will provide more information once it becomes available,” AIA spokesperson Seth Polansky said in a statement.

The Coolidge Unified School District acknowledged reports that some of its fans used derogatory and racist language and that Chinle players and coaches were advised to leave in pairs for safety. However, district officials said they “respectfully disagree” with how the situation has been characterized and are consulting legal counsel.

The district also said it was exploring legal options, including an injunction and a formal appeal. It submitted an action plan outlining steps to improve supervision and reinforce expectations for sportsmanship.

Before the judge intervened, the AIA said it would revisit the Coolidge High School’s probation status at a April 20 meeting.

“Coolidge will follow a corrective action plan that AIA administration will monitor between now and the April meeting,” Polansky said in a statement.

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