Here’s the outcome of the investigation into Gig Harbor basketball racial slur allegation

The investigation into whether a Gig Harbor High School girls basketball player called a Peninsula High School player a racial slur was closed after officials were unable to confirm the slur was used.

Peninsula School District hired a third-party investigator after allegations a GHHS player called a PHS player the “N” word during the handshake line at a Jan. 11 game between the two schools.

The two players were guarding each other the whole game, according to the investigation.

The investigator spoke with 13 witnesses, including students, parents, coaches and district staff. They also reviewed the district’s anti-discrimination policy and procedure and various documents.

Since the investigation was unable to determine if the slur was used, none of the students involved received disciplinary action, district spokesperson Danielle Chastaine said.

The allegation

Here’s what a few PHS players told investigators:

“We were on the game floor, walking through the handshake line, I shook her hand, patted her on the back, and said good job and then walked away,” the PHS player who was allegedly called a racial slur told the investigator.

After walking away from the line, the PHS player did not hear the GHHS player call her a racial slur, but her teammates still in line said they heard it.

Another PHS player told investigators the GHHS player was pat on the back during the the handshake line and it may have upset her because after that happened she heard the GHHS player use the “N” word, the report said.

A third PHS player told investigators the GHHS player said: the PHS player “is a stupid “N” word.” She also described the GHHS player having an attitude, pushing and getting mad during the basketball game.

One of the PHS players told the investigator she saw another teammate of the GHHS player pull the GHHS player away from PHS players.

The PHS players immediately told their coach what happened, according to the report.

The next morning, Jan. 12, the district began looking to hire a third-party investigator, Chastaine previously told the Gateway.

The district decided to hold off on any disciplinary action until after they received investigation results, Chastaine said.

A different version

The GHHS player said the PHS player slapped her hand, said “bye-bye” and used a nickname that no one calls her, the GHHS player told investigators.

After the interaction the GHHS player said she was confused and turned to one of her teammates.

She added even if she wanted to say something to the PHS player, she couldn’t because the PHS player had already moved along.

No one pulled her away from PHS players, the GHHS player told the investigator.

What does the video reveal?

The investigator watched video footage of the handshake line from streaming websites, HUDL and the National Federation of State High School Associations.

The two PHS players who said they heard the GHHS player say a racial slur were not directly behind the PHS player who may have been called a racial slur, the investigator wrote.

The video also revealed the PHS player pat the GHHS player on the back in the handshake line, the investigator wrote.

It appeared the GHHS player turned and look confused at one point in the handshake line, according to the report.

The investigator found no evidence of any GHHS player pulling another GHHS player away.

Witnesses also provided photo evidence to investigators of the GHHS player using a racial slur in a Snapchat message during the 2021-2022 school year.

Information about the investigation’s results was sent to the parents of players from both basketball teams and to high school staff, Chastaine told the Gateway.

“Our hope is that we can come together as a district in the spirit of inclusiveness and work district-wide to support all of our students in a positive way that allows us to celebrate sports of all kinds and the pride of healthy competition,” a news release said.

“When the Peninsula School District Superintendent and School Board of Directors created the 2022-2026 Strategic Plan, creating an inclusive learning environment was highlighted as a value the district holds. This is still true, and Peninsula School District remains committed to creating an inclusive learning environment, while providing the best opportunities for every child, every day at PSD.”