A student in the Patterson High School fan section holds a sign that says, “Jesus (loves) you unless you attend Parkview Baptist” during Friday’s basketball game between the two schools. The photo is rotated to allow the sign to be read.
When they met Friday for the regional round of the Class 3A boys basketball playoffs in Baton Rouge, some say the rivalry went too far.
Signs and T-shirts have caused concern among Parkview Baptist fans and garnered punishments for the Patterson High students involved.
One of the signs read “Jesus Loves You ... unless you attend Parkview,” while some wore “I Hate Parkview” T-shirts. WBRZ television reported another sign that read, “Breathe if you hate Parkview.”
Patterson Principal Rachel Wilson said this morning “the picture was sent to me from within our school district. … The situation was tended to,” Wilson added.
She said she is not legally allowed to comment on the discipline the students received.
St. Mary Superintendent Donald Aguillard added in an email statement, “The incident remains under investigation. I have asked Kenneth Lockett … to review the incident. Behavior of this type, as reported by WBRZ, is inappropriate and unsportsmanlike. Student disciplinary matters are protected by confidentiality. If necessary, Mr. Lockett will determine the appropriate discipline regarding the matter.”
He was not sure exactly how many students were involved, but repeated Lockett would review the incident and determine the “appropriate disposition.”
Patterson and Parkview played each other in the football state title game in 2010. Parkview won that game 24-20. In Friday’s game, the No. 23 seed Parkview upset No. 7 Patterson 59-42.
Parkview Baptist High School Division Head and Basketball Coach Don Green sent a copy of the statements he made to WAFB television in Baton Rouge when asked about allegations his players antagonized Patterson players on the sidelines and have in the past.
Green said Friday night’s game against Patterson High School was about what he expected.
“It was electric, very loud,” Green said.
“The conduct from the Patterson players was outstanding.”
Now that he’s seen the signs, he said they may have been a bit out of bounds. But Green doesn’t believe the students meant any harm, according to WAFB.
“I don’t believe there was any intent or ill will, just going maybe just a step too far in trying to support the team,” Green said.
Had the tables been turned, “We would be very upset by what we did because, again, I can’t tell what’s in someone else’s mind or hearts. But I can certainly tell you what’s in ours and that is not something we would have accepted from our student body,” he said.
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