Verbal sparring reason for benching KC-Wyandotte, Highland Park boys’ basketball game

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - Trash talking that got out of hand is the reason a KCK school district spokesperson says school officials decided to cancel last Friday’s boys’ basketball game between Wyandotte and Topeka’s Highland Park High School.

Edwin Birch, executive director of communications for Kansas City, Kan. Public Schools, said the verbal sparring began as the teams were on the court warming up Friday night. He said it was an “unsportsmanlike situation” that staff members from both schools could not get settled down. He said a mutual decision was made to cancel the JV and Varsity contests to keep the situation from escalating.

“It was unsportsmanlike conduct we do not want to tolerate,” Birch told 13 NEWS. “It is unfortunate. Hopefully the student athletes have learned something from this.”

Birch said the situation did not involve anything physical. He said the district continues investigating reports of threats made on social media.

Dr. Aarion L. Gray, General Director of Instructional Services for Topeka Public Schools, shared a message sent to Highland Park families Friday night, informing them the student athletes were returning home early.

“(We) are not proceeding with the game due to our concern regarding safety after observing the conduct of some students at Wyandotte,” Gray wrote in his note. “Safety is our top priority and when we feel the environment is unsafe, we will conclude the game and ensure our students safely return to school. We appreciate the cooperation from the Wyandotte administrative team.”

Birch said discussions are underway about whether or not the game will be rescheduled.

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