VA Team Forfeits Season After Coach Poses As Player

PORTSMOUTH, VA — At least two basketball coaches are no longer employed at a Virginia high school after one impersonated a junior varsity player by donning her jersey and playing alongside other teenage athletes, according to officials and reports.

On Jan. 23, Churchland High School officials received a report that a member of the junior varsity girls basketball coaching staff took part in a game against Nansemond River High School in Suffolk, Portsmouth Public Schools spokesperson Lauren Nolasco confirmed to Patch. The game was held Saturday, Jan. 21.

The coach was identified as 22-year-old Arlisha Boykins, according to a WAVY report.

Video of the game against Nansemond River obtained by WAVY shows Boykins wearing a player's jersey and playing with other teenage players.

According to WAVY, Boykins was impersonating a player who was out of town at a club basketball tournament. The player's parent told WAVY that Boykins also played under the student's name.

"Coaches always preach to the kids about integrity and those types of things, so I was just shocked," the player's father told WAVY.

Churchland's administration immediately launched an investigation and reported their findings to the Virginia High School League, Norlasco said. In addition, administrators met with parents and players for both the junior varsity and varsity teams.

During the meeting, Norlasco said players from both teams expressed they did not want to continue this season.

The teams' remaining opponents and officials were notified of the decision, Norlasco said.

"When an adult commits to being a high school coach, it's not just about coaching the game. They take on a lot of responsibility," Billy Haun, executive director of the Virginia High School League, told WTKR." Adults who fail to live up to those expectations — I'll just put it bluntly — they fail students."

As of Jan. 25, Boykins, who started working at the school in August, was no longer employed with the district, Norlasco confirmed. Head coach Jahmal Street is also no longer working for the school, Nolasco said.

According to WAVY, the player's family is also seeking an apology from the district.