A 22-year-old assistant coach on a Virginia high school basketball team was fired after she was accused of posing as a 13-year-old player during a game when said teen was absent.
As reported by WAVY-TV, Arlisha Boykins, the former assistant coach for Churchland High's junior varisty girls basketball team, impersonated a player in a game took place on January 21 against Nansemond River.
The outlet published footage that appeared to show Boykins dressed in a black No. 1 jersey that belonged to a player who was competing in a separate tournament. Boykins, who appears taller than her opponents, is seen in the footage blocking shots, completing layups, and shooting free throws.
She's even given a celebratory hand gesture after converting the layup against players who are several years younger than her.
"Coaches always preach to the kids about integrity and those types of things, so I was just shocked," the father of the student who Boykins allegedly impersonated told WAVY-TV.
"I just need an apology, you know, because I haven't yet received one from the overseer of the program," he added.
The teenager who was impersonated will no longer be attending Churchland High, her father told the publication.
Portsmouth Public Schools confirmed to People in a statement that Boykins as well as the head coach are no longer employed by the school district.
The statement reads: "Churchland's administration immediately investigated and then reached out to the Virginia High School League to report the investigation's findings. In addition, Churchland's administration held a parent and player meeting with both the junior varsity and varsity teams.
"In the meeting, the players from both teams expressed they did not want to continue this season. The teams' remaining opponents and officials have been notified."
Per Max Preps, Churchland won the game against Nansemond River 47-45, but the win has now been branded a loss by forfeit.
Members of the Churchland team and their parents decided to bring the season to an early end since the alleged impersonation became public.
District director of communication Lauren Nolasco wrote in an email to DailyMail.com: "Churchland High School received a report last Monday that a member of the junior varsity girls basketball coaching staff took part in a game against Nansemond River High School (the game was held at Nansemond River and no Churchland administrators were in attendance).
"Churchland's administration immediately investigated and then reached out to the Virginia High School League to report the investigation's findings. In addition, Churchland's administration held a parent and player meeting with both the junior varsity and varsity teams.
"In the meeting, the players from both teams expressed they did not want to continue this season. The teams' remaining opponents and officials have been notified.
"While I cannot discuss details of the investigation since this is a personnel matter, I can confirm Arlisha Boykins is no longer an employee of Portsmouth Public Schools."
