Central Valley High School's varsity girls basketball team will play shorthanded for the remainder of the season.
Five players were dismissed for their involvement in the theft of a BlackBerry cell phone at Sonora High School last Thursday.
"I'm aware of the facts related to this matter," Ceres Unified Superintendent Walt Hanline said. "I believe the coach and administrators properly handled the situation."
Reached for comment Tuesday morning, Sonora Police Lt. Mark Stinson confirmed that a two-paragraph report had been filed by Sonora High's resource officer.
"Players from Central Valley removed some personal property out of a locker," Stinson stated. "A BlackBerry was taken and returned. No charges have been filed. They just wanted the property back."
The BlackBerry was recovered after Central Valley players were questioned on campus last Friday.
At Monday evening's practice, head coach Jesse Padilla said he wanted to comment but couldn't because he was told not to by his superiors.
Principal Fred Van Vleck and athletic director Michelle Parrish have also been instructed not to talk.
"Since it involves students and disciplinary, I really can't say anything," Van Vleck said. "I have to protect their rights."
Said Hanline: "We're all very disappointed. The bottom line is if athletes do something improper, they will be kicked off the team and suspended. But I'm not commenting on this specific case."
Five players were dismissed for their involvement in the theft of a BlackBerry cell phone at Sonora High School last Thursday.
"I'm aware of the facts related to this matter," Ceres Unified Superintendent Walt Hanline said. "I believe the coach and administrators properly handled the situation."
Reached for comment Tuesday morning, Sonora Police Lt. Mark Stinson confirmed that a two-paragraph report had been filed by Sonora High's resource officer.
"Players from Central Valley removed some personal property out of a locker," Stinson stated. "A BlackBerry was taken and returned. No charges have been filed. They just wanted the property back."
The BlackBerry was recovered after Central Valley players were questioned on campus last Friday.
At Monday evening's practice, head coach Jesse Padilla said he wanted to comment but couldn't because he was told not to by his superiors.
Principal Fred Van Vleck and athletic director Michelle Parrish have also been instructed not to talk.
"Since it involves students and disciplinary, I really can't say anything," Van Vleck said. "I have to protect their rights."
Said Hanline: "We're all very disappointed. The bottom line is if athletes do something improper, they will be kicked off the team and suspended. But I'm not commenting on this specific case."
