Duncanville girls basketball program banned from playoffs, head coach suspended
The Duncanville girls basketball program has been issued a three-year probation and will not be allowed to play in the postseason during the upcoming season, due to alleged recruiting, school practices and game restrictions, following Monday’s UIL State Executive Committee meeting.
Along with the ban, Duncanville head coach LaJeanna Howard received a public reprimand and a one-year suspension. Duncanville athletic director Dwight Weaver also received a public reprimand.
The boys basketball team was also reprimanded on Monday.
The Duncanville school district issued a statement Monday evening, “Prior to today’s hearing, Duncanville ISD had already internally acted to impose a substantial and appropriate disciplinary suspension for coach Howard. We believe our internal disciplinary measure was both substantial and appropriate. However, we respect the committee’s decision that a longer suspension was appropriate.”
Added Duncanville superintendent Marc Smith, “These are significant and unprecedented consequences for both programs, and students will suffer the most from today’s decisions.”
Howard, who graduated from Duncanville, was suspended internally after the team posted on social media that they were hosting tryouts. DISD is open enrollment, however, Weaver neglected to notify the District Executive Committee.
According to Texas high school girls basketball insider Nick Alvarado, tryouts were hosted for Duncanville students not already on the team. However, according to Alvarado, an athlete from Arlington attended the tryout. Howard said on Monday, there was no communication between her or her staff with that athlete.
Howard went on to say that it’s her responsibility to check social media and takes accountability for not checking.
Duncanville won the 2020 Class 6A state championship over Houston Cypress Creek, the program’s 11th state title all-time. The Pantherettes have lost to DeSoto in the regional final during the past two seasons.
The UIL girls basketball season starts on Friday.
According to Max Preps, Duncanville opens against Frisco Liberty on Tuesday Nov. 8.
This story was originally published October 31, 2022 at 11:40 AM.
