Parents, students decry 'white power' signs at game

Jobin Panicker | WFAA-TV, Dallas

Show Caption Hide Caption Plano East says rival team crossed the line A tweeted picture shows people in Flower Mound's cheering section section holding up signs that read "WHITE POWER."

DALLAS — The drama-filled game between Flower Mound High School and Plano East on Friday went into three overtimes.

But what made social media circles over the weekend happened just beyond the confines of the court. A picture was tweeted out showing a sign being held up Flower Mound's student section that read "WHITE POWER."

"We thought it was racist," said a Plano East student athlete who was at the game and asked not to be identified. "(The sign) said "white power," and we were shocked."

Deanna Thompson, a Plano East parent, also saw the photo on social media.

"It's just so sad that kids have to take it to that level," she said.

Witnesses said the incident happened late in the game. Both student sections were hyped up as the scoring lead switched several times.

But the Plano East athlete remembers a specific moment when it got very raucous in the gym.

"Our student section started pointing at the sign," the student said. "That's when it clicked into everyone's mind… 'Whoa... what are these guys doing?' And the teachers came and took the signs down."

The student reported the signs were held up for 30 seconds. Students described teachers rushing to take the signs down. They also said the sign that read "WHITE" obviously referred to the team's colors. But many did not believe the "POWER" sign fit in to any school cheers.

Witnesses said racial slurs were also directed at players during the game, especially after a player had been injured.

There was also Twitter chatter that Flower Mound students defecated and urinated on Plano's team bus. Neither district could confirm that damage.

"To me that's criminal… it's criminal, and it's just sick," Thompson said, adding: "This was not a mistake."

She feels the students involved should face consequences.

Flower Mound's coach, Eric Littleton, responded on Twitter to the image of the sign: "Unacceptable. As head coach at FMHS I offer our full voice apology. I will pursue this fully. No place for this."

Lewisville Intermediate School District officials released this statement:

"While it's an unfortunate occurrence, the district is investigating this and it will be handled internally."