PHOENIX — As the Arizona high school basketball playoffs intensify, two separate incidents over the weekend shifted attention away from the court and toward concerns about sportsmanship, crowd behavior and game management.<\/p>\r\n
One incident involved a seating dispute during an Open Division playoff game between Central High School and Sandra Day O\u2019Connor High School on Friday.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n
A separate allegation came from a 3A quarterfinal in Coolidge the same night. Chinle players and a state lawmaker said members of the crowd directed racial taunts at visiting athletes.<\/p>\r\n
Together, the situations prompted renewed scrutiny of the postseason environment governed by the Arizona Interscholastic Association.<\/p>\r\n
Seating dispute at Central-O\u2019Connor game<\/div>\r\n
Central lost to O\u2019Connor 91-77 in a second-round Open Division matchup, but the focus shifted to the stands after a seating dispute escalated between Central parent Jackie Mattingly and O\u2019Connor game personnel.<\/p>\r\n
Mattingly was told she needed to move from the home section to the designated visitor area and that police could be called if she refused.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n
She left the gym with her sons, Central standouts John and Grant Mattingly, who did not play.<\/p>\r\n
Brian Kilgore, director of communications and community at Deer Valley Unified School District, provided a statement to Cronkite News about Friday\u2019s incident.<\/p>\r\n
\u201cPrior to Friday night\u2019s basketball game, a Central High School parent was asked to relocate from the Sandra Day O\u2019Connor section to the visitors section,\u201d Kilgore said.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n
\u201cO\u2019Connor\u2019s established event protocol, consistent with standard practice at many high schools, is to separate home and visitor spectators to promote a safe and secure atmosphere at athletic events.\u201d<\/p>\r\n
Kilgore said the parent refused to relocate and that staff sought assistance from Central\u2019s coaching staff to reinforce spectator expectations.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n
He said Central staff did not assist and the parent ultimately left the gym.<\/p>\r\n
\u201cThe request to relocate was based solely on standard spectator seating protocols that are applied consistently to all attendees,\u201d Kilgore said. \u201cOur priority at athletic events is to provide a safe environment for students and families.\u201d<\/p>\r\n
Mattingly, who is Native American, later told The Arizona Republic she felt threatened, believed she was racially profiled and did not feel safe remaining at the game.<\/p>\r\n
Some social media users accused Central of intentionally losing to fall into the 5A bracket and pursue a second straight conference championship. Mattingly denied that claim.<\/p>\r\n
\u201cWhen you\u2019re threatening your mother with the police, are you going to stay?\u201d she told The Republic<\/a>. She added that coaches from both teams attempted to resolve the situation.<\/p>\r\nThe Mattingly brothers had previously told The Republic after a first-round win over Phoenix Arcadia that they welcomed another opportunity to face O\u2019Connor after losing a close Open Division matchup to the Eagles last season.<\/p>\r\n
AIA Executive Director Jim Dean confirmed to The Republic that the association is investigating reports from both schools.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n
\u201cWe\u2019re in the investigative process, as it stands right now,\u201d Dean said. \u201cWe\u2019re looking into all of the accusations that have come forward.\u201d<\/p>\r\n
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