Just before the final buzzer, some fans from the Righetti cheering section began the chant, which was apparently directed toward some St. Joseph players, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Kind of a disappointing ending to a good game as the visiting student section chanted “where’s your passport?”, apparently at SJHS players. Administrators from both schools exchanged words. There was a charged atmosphere throughout the contest. #santamariatimes pic.twitter.com/xCQU7J5INA
— Joe Bailey (@JBaileySMSports) February 12, 2020
St. Joseph has one player from France on its roster and three players from Puerto Rico, which is a U.S. territory, the Santa Maria Times reported.
St. Joseph Principal Erinn Dougherty confronted the Righetti students after hearing the chant, the newspaper reported. She then had words with Righetti Assistant Principal Ted Lyon, who was standing near his team’s bench.
"Kids are going to do whatever they're going to do and our guys enjoy playing in great atmospheres like this," St. Joseph basketball coach Tom Mott told the Santa Maria Times. "Anything our crowd or their crowd does is just part of the game."
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