ALVIN, Texas – Five Alvin High School seniors on the girls’ varsity basketball team say their coach left them behind at Dawson High School after the team lost its final game.
Parents said the move was petty and overshadowed what should have been a bittersweet senior night.
The girls recorded the moment on their cell phones. One player described the scene: “We were a little upset, so in the video at the end, we were a little petty.” She added, “None of us were told anything as far as, ‘Oh, we’re leaving — get on the bus.’”
The players said they realized the team bus had already left while they were taking photos after the game.
“We were all in shock. All we could really do was laugh. It wasn’t a funny situation — we couldn’t believe it,” said senior Hayden Holloway.
A student on the bus reportedly tried to alert the coaching staff, but the girls said the head coach told them to leave the seniors behind. “The head coach just said leave them there,” Hayden said. Even when parents tried calling, no one answered. “There’s nothing — nobody’s answering,” the student added.
Parents said they were upset, but not entirely surprised. “Before the basketball season, I told her that she was immature and petty, and that it was going to come back to get her because you can’t be that way with kids,” said Amanda Holloway, Hayden’s mother.
Parents told KPRC 2 News that the district said the incident is under investigation.
“Everything is being investigated — that’s as far as we know,” a parent said.
The girls said their plans to enjoy their final moments together as a team were ruined. “Usually what we like to do is sing songs. We bring a speaker on the bus — we just have a lot of fun,” Hayden said. Another player reflected on the coaching staff: “It is sad to say the pettiness and stuff goes way back.”
Parents and players are calling for disciplinary action against the head coach and other staff involved, and for the district to ensure similar incidents do not happen in the future.
Alvin ISD officials did not respond to KPRC 2 for comment.