CHERRY TOWNSHIP — The Moniteau girls basketball coach came under fire Monday night when three parents of players and one player spoke to the school board.

Reading from a prepared statement, freshman basketball player Samantha Hall said her experience starting the basketball season with an injury.

She claimed that Matt Stebbins, the coach and substitute teacher, urged her to resume practicing with the team, contradicting written instructions Hall received from her physician.

Hall said the bullying was reported to the school board on Feb. 10. She asked why Stebbins has not been investigated.

Joyce Brehm of West Sunbury and a parent of another player on the team told the school board members that they have not given adequate attention to parents’ concerns about Stebbins’ sideline behavior at games, verbal and gestural abuse and bullying.

She said that board members have not discussed the situation with students, and she accused the school board of protecting coaches.

Les King of Karns City said his daughter also was bullied and subsequently quit the team.

Following the board meeting Hall’s mother, Rhonda Hall, explained her attempts to advocate on her daughter’s behalf.

Concerned about her daughter’s injury, Rhonda Hall said she spoke with Stebbins. Unsatisfied with his response, she spoke with athletic director Zoe McDonald, then with assistant principal Todd Amsler and finally with Superintendent George Svolos.

Rhonda Hall said that her complaint was not about insufficient playing time but about how Stebbins pressured her daughter.

Following the school board meeting, Robin King said her daughter, also a freshman, was one of three players who left the team.

King believes that other parents are not speaking up because they are afraid of retaliation by Stebbins either during the upcoming track season or during next year’s basketball season. Stebbins coaches the boy’s track team.

Stebbins could not be reached for comment this morning.

Svolos said Monday night that the district is proactive about bullying.

“We’re constantly upgrading and updating the anti-bullying education program,” said the superintendent, who declined to comment further.

School board President Melissa DeMatteis said Stebbins has coached two successful seasons.

“He’s a good man,” she said.

She also declined further comment.

The girls basketball season was cut short in the first round of the District 9 Class AA playoffs Thursday by a loss to Redbank Valley.

Stebbins, 25, is in his second year as the head coach.