Racial Slur Accusation Ends Teaneck Basketball Game Early

TEANECK, NJ – An investigation is underway into whether Northern Valley High School basketball players used racial slurs against Teaneck players during a game Tuesday in Old Tappan.

Owen Barnes, Teaneck’s freshman boys coach, pulled his team off the court with just minutes left in the game after getting complaints about Northern Valley’s players, officials said.

“In an effort to deescalate a disturbing situation that was taking place on the basketball court yesterday, one that was reported by our freshman head coach during the game but was not sufficiently rectified, our coach made a decision in the best interest of our student athletes to end the game early,” Teaneck schools superintendent Christopher Irving said.

“We are very proud of how our students handled this issue, and conversations are now taking place between the principals and athletic directors of the two schools,” Irving also said.

Northern Valley Regional School District Board President Joseph Argenziano told NorthJersey.com that Northern Valley staff and referees at Tuesday’s game didn’t hear any racial slurs but that the district is looking into the allegations.

Argenziano could not immediately be reached for comment Thursday morning.