Chatsworth Basketball Coach Involved in Altercation wiht Player’s Relative, Investigation Underway
A concerning incident involving the Chatsworth High School girls basketball program has prompted an investigation by the L.A. School Police Department,following a reported physical and verbal altercation between head coach kaio Lewis and a relative of one of his players.
The incident occured Friday night after the team’s game against Taft High School, according to sources familiar with the matter who were not authorized to speak publicly. Details remain scarce as authorities prioritize the integrity of the ongoing investigation.
“We are aware of an incident that occurred on Friday after a girls basketball game between Chatsworth and Taft,” a statement from the L.A. School Police Department read. “LAPD responded to this incident of an alleged verbal and physical altercation between two adults. This investigation is active and L.A. School Police will take over as lead primary investigative agency. In order to preserve the integrity of this investigation,no further details will be shared at this time. If more data becomes available to share, we will do so at the appropriate time.”
The altercation reportedly stemmed from disagreements over player playing time and coaching decisions, escalating after the game concluded. While the L.A. school Police Department initially responded to the scene, they have as handed the lead investigative role to their own department.The identity of the player’s relative involved has not been released. The nature of the physical altercation – whether it involved pushing, shoving, or more serious contact – remains unconfirmed pending the investigation.
The incident comes at a sensitive time for Chatsworth athletics. just hours prior, Marcus Alvarado, the school’s baseball coach, announced his resignation, citing the detrimental impact of parental complaints on his passion for the sport. Alvarado led the Chatsworth baseball team to a 2022 City Section Open Division championship. His departure underscores a growing concern about the pressures faced by high school coaches.
The timing of these two events raises questions about the climate surrounding Chatsworth’s athletic programs and the challenges coaches face when navigating interactions with parents and guardians. The increasing intensity of youth sports ofen leads to heightened emotions and, in some cases, confrontations. Sources indicate that Coach Lewis has a history of positive relationships with players and families, making this incident particularly surprising to those familiar with the program.
Attempts to reach Coach Lewis and Chatsworth administrators for comment on the basketball incident have been unsuccessful. As of this reporting, no response has been received to text messages seeking clarification. The L.A. School Police Department has stated they will release further information as the investigation allows, but a timeline for completion is currently unknown.
Currently, the Chatsworth girls basketball team holds a record of 0-4 in the West Valley League this season. The team’s performance on the court is now overshadowed by the off-court incident,leaving the future of the program uncertain as the investigation unfolds.
