Trans-identifying male causes multiple injuries during girls' high school basketball game, prompting opponents to forfeit

A girls' high school basketball team forfeited a game earlier this month after several girls suffered injuries while playing against a trans-identifying male opponent.

The Collegiate Charter School of Lowell in Massachusetts forfeited a game against KIPP Academy on February 8 after a third player was injured. The decision to end the game was made by the team's coach at halftime.

"The bench was already depleted going into the game with the 12-player roster having four players unable to play," a press release from the school read. "When the coach saw three more girls go down in the first half, leaving him with five players, he made the call to end the game early."

"Once the third was injured, the remaining five expressed concern to him about continuing to play," it continued. "The players feared getting injured and not being able to compete in the playoffs."

The charter school said it supported its coach's decision to end the game early. It also noted that it values "inclusivity and safety for all students."

"We take the standards set by the [Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association] and our Board of Trustees seriously and strive to uphold them on and off the court," the school added. "We also follow the guidance from the MIAA and state laws regarding equity and access for all student-athletes."

The MIAA handbook declares that "a student shall not be excluded from participation on a gender-specific sports team that is consistent with the student's bona fide gender identity." However, it also notes that students cannot be "included on the roster solely for the purpose of gaining an unfair advantage in competitive athletics."

Fox News Digital reported that the four players who could not participate were injured during a previous game, but it is unclear whether their injuries occurred during plays involving the male KIPP Academy athlete, the news outlet stated.

Video from the game shared on social media showed a male KIPP Academy player ripping the ball away from a female charter school athlete. The girl attempted to keep hold of the ball but was ultimately forced to the ground. The female student, failing to stand up, then clutched her back in pain, the video captured.

A source told Fox News Digital that the male Kipp Academy player is over six feet tall and has facial hair. The news outlet reported that the charter school had previously played against KIPP Academy and was aware that a trans-identifying student was on the team's roster.

Former competitive swimmer Riley Gaines shared the video on her X account and stated, "A man hitting a woman used to be called domestic abuse. Now it's called brave. Who watches this & actually thinks this is 'compassionate, kind, and inclusive?'"

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