Girls’ Team Queried About Epithets

Administrators at San Bernardino High are expected to forward statements from members of school’s girls’ basketball team to the CIF Southern Section today regarding allegations of racial epithets made at them during a playoff game at Moorpark High last Saturday night.

Dean Crowley, Southern Section commissioner, said he spoke with San Bernardino Principal Karen Craig late Monday afternoon and was told statements and a report regarding the game should be completed today.

The statements stem from allegations made by San Bernardino Coach Paul Akahoshi and members of his team about racial epithets they said were directed at them during a 79-61 loss to Moorpark in the quarterfinal round of the Division II-A playoffs.

Akahoshi said that the epithets came both from players on the floor and from the crowd.

Fourteen of the 16 San Bernardino players are African American.

“We took statements from players, coaches and cheerleaders at the game to find out exactly what happened,” said Rosemary Pausz, San Bernardino vice principal. “We’ll look them over and then send them off.”

Moorpark Coach Brent Milburn, who is African American, said he was unaware of any racial epithets made during the game.

John McIntosh, Moorpark’s principal, said he began an investigation Monday into the allegations.

“I’m taking this matter seriously and will do all I can to find out the truth,” he said.

Crowley refused to speculate on any repercussions until he has read the statements.

Moorpark plays host to Compton Dominguez in the semifinals Wednesday night. The game it to be played at an neutral site.

McIntosh said the school would not use its first choice, Simi Valley High, because of the negative connection between Simi Valley and the Rodney King trial.