By Becky Long
Publisher
In their quest for the Smoky Mountain Tournament basketball championship, the Cherokee Lady Braves won the game against Hayesville Saturday, but apparently poor sportsmanship on the floor and in the stands sparked enough controversy to draw a response from the principal and superintendent of the opposing teams.
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Principal Chief Michell Hicks released the following statement:
“Our student-athletes should never have to question whether they will be treated with respect when they step onto the court. Yet, they have been met with racism and hostility instead of the sportsmanship they deserve.
“This was not just frustration over a loss, this was adults, including educators, choosing to direct their anger toward Cherokee student-athletes simply for winning. Their response was not only unsportsmanlike—it was hateful. This is not an isolated incident. Our student-athletes, both boys and girls, have endured similar treatment for years. The history is there, the evidence is undeniable, and yet time and time again, these acts of bigotry are dismissed or excused. We have heard hateful slurs, degrading chants, and outright threats directed at our young athletes, words that are rooted in the same racism that once justified violence against our people. Schools, administrators, and the North Carolina High School Athletic Association must take responsibility and ensure that this behavior is no longer tolerated.
“We are taking immediate action. The EBCI and Cherokee Central Schools are issuing a joint letter to the North Carolina High School Athletic Association demanding accountability, and I will personally be speaking with the superintendent of Clay County Schools. We will also be increasing protections for our athletes, including having officers present at games. These measures are just the beginning—we will continue to advocate for stronger protections to ensure our kids are safe, respected, and treated with the dignity they deserve.”
The Clay County School Board met for their regular meeting Monday evening and afterwards issued the following statement regarding the controversial game played in Hayesville:
The Clay County Board of Education met this evening at our monthly board meeting, at which time we had the opportunity to discuss the recent events that transpired over the weekend.
“Clay County Schools is committed to providing a safe, fun, and respectful environment for our athletes, coaches, and fans. Competitive sports can bring out strong emotions, and that’s exactly what we saw during the SMC Conference Tournament. While passion and enthusiasm are a great part of the game, it is our expectation that our fans, players, and community uphold an atmosphere of respect and sportsmanship at all times.
“We are aware of images that display some of our fans being inappropriate during Saturday night’s tournament game. This behavior does not reflect the values of our school system or community and we deeply regret this happened. This behavior will not be tolerated. To that end, anytime there is a report of inappropriate behavior from the stands, such as this one, we actively investigate the concern, collaborate with other school administrators if needed, and put measures in place to address poor behavior to ensure that all athletic events remain positive experiences for everyone involved and that the talents and accomplishments of student athletes remain front and center. Although there may be information out there on the contrary, we have been in constant communication with the Cherokee Central Superintendent, Cherokee Central High School Principal and Athletic Director since Saturday evening and relayed our commitment to addressing this issue.
“Moving forward, we will continue to emphasize the importance of sportsmanship and respectful conduct so that all students and fans can enjoy high-quality athletic events in a positive environment, while supporting the incredible student athletes of Hayesville High School and other surrounding schools.”
— Superintendent Melissa Godfrey and the Clay County Board of Education.