Who is Arlisha Boykins? Basketball coach, 22, fired for impersonating 13-yr-old girl in game
PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA: A 22-year-old junior varsity assistant girls basketball coach was fired this week after she impersonated a 13-year-old player in a game. Arlisha Boykins, the former assistant coach at Churchland High, is allegedly accused of impersonating a player during a January 21 game against Nansemond River.
"Coaches always preach to the kids about integrity and those types of things, so I was just shocked," said the father of the student who Boykins impersonated, according to WAVY-TV. "I just need an apology, you know, because I haven't yet received one from the overseer of the program," he added. According to her father, the girl will no longer be a student at Churchland High, Virginia.
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Footage shows Arlisha Boykins playing against students a decade younger to her
In a video footage, Boykins was seen sporting a black No 1 jersey belonging to a player who was out of town at the time of the competition. Boykins made a simple layup, a shot block, and connected on a pair of free throws. She even made a celebratory hand motion after making the layup against opponents who were over 10 years younger.
Something you don't see every day. An assistant coach on a JV girls basketball team impersonated a 13-year-old player on the team in a game. The coach is no longer an employee of the Portsmouth School District. @WAVY_News
— Craig Loper II (@CraigLoperWAVY) January 30, 2023
More information: pic.twitter.com/Hrs1oEJvME
Lauren Nolasco, the district's director of communications, was able to confirm to Daily Mail that Boykins has been fired by the school. In addition to her, the Truckers' junior varsity head coach was also let go, with sources telling the outlet that he was "encouraging the behavior" during the game.
Statement by Churchland High School
In an email, Nolasco wrote, "Churchland High School received a report last Monday that a member of the junior varsity girls basketball coaching staff took part in a game against Nansemond River High School (the game was held at Nansemond River and no Churchland administrators were in attendance). The game was held Saturday, January 21."
He added, "Churchland's administration immediately investigated and then reached out to the Virginia High School League to report the investigation's findings. In addition, Churchland's administration held a parent and player meeting with both the junior varsity and varsity teams. In the meeting, the players from both teams expressed they did not want to continue this season. The teams' remaining opponents and officials have been notified."
"While I cannot discuss details of the investigation since this is a personnel matter, I can confirm Arlisha Boykins is no longer an employee of Portsmouth Public Schools. She began working for the division August 29, 2022. Her last day of work was January 25, 2023. I also can confirm that the junior varsity team's head coach is also no longer working for the division. His last day of work was also January 25, 2023," the statement concluded.