Girls basketball players kicked off team after voicing concerns about ‘touchy-feely’ coach

Seven members of a Louisiana high school girls basketball team were dismissed this week, after raising concerns about the head coach.

Parents of at least four of those students at Salmen High School also came forward with concerns the team’s coach Panos Bountovinas was acting inappropriately towards some of the girls.

The superintendent of St. Tammany Parish schools, Trey Folse, has released a statement saying that the girls’ claims are unfounded:

A thorough investigation by the St. Tammany Parish Public school system has found that allegations brought up in regards to the Salmen high girls basketball coach are unfounded.

Some players became uncomfortable with Bountovinas’ “touchy-feely” approach. They also cited occasions in which he hesitated to leave the locker room while the girls were dressing, despite the fact that the female assistant had asked him to leave.

Folse disagrees.

“The safety of our students is our top priority,” he said in a statement via WWLTV.  “And we take every measure to ensure a safe and secure learning environment for all students.”

A decision which will determine if the girls are allowed back on the team has been delayed until after the Thanksgiving holiday.

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