LOWELL, Mass. (AP) — A Lowell middle school boys basketball coach is accused of berating a student and throwing a Rubik’s Cube at him, blaming the teen for a loss.

The Sun reports 30-year-old Matthew Fraser, of Lowell, pleaded not guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon in connection with the Jan. 27 incident at Sullivan Middle School. He appeared in Lowell District Court Thursday to finalize case deadlines.

The school says Fraser was placed on paid administrative leave from his job as a seventh-grade paraprofessional.

Defense attorney Robert Normandin says Fraser denies throwing anything, and is anxious to resolve the case to return to school in September.


Prosecutors say Fraser yelled and threw the cube at the teen, missing him and hitting a substitute teacher.

He’s due back in court July 7.

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Information from: The (Lowell, Mass.) Sun, http://www.lowellsun.com