Coach assaulted after game

Steve Virgen

The Estancia High girls’ basketball head coach has filed a police

report against a woman alleged to be a player’s mother, accusing the

woman of assaulting her after a 71-16 Eagle victory Tuesday night.

The woman, whose name could not be confirmed by press time, was

apparently upset that her daughter did not play in Tuesday’s contest.

Witnesses said she shoved her shoulder into Tamette Rappa’s chest.

Rappa was left with a bruise. After she was hit, she said, “You

hit me.”

The woman responded, “And I’m coming back.”

A child, who was apparently another family member, shouted an

obscenity at Rappa.

Rappa called the Costa Mesa Police Department. The coach told the

responding officer that she wanted the parent arrested.

“I’m hoping this will make a difference,” Rappa said later that

evening. “How many times does this have to happen? You’ve heard it

happening in sports, at soccer games. This has happened too much.”

Rappa played every player except the girl the woman said was her

daughter because the girl had not been cleared by a mandatory

physical and had missed several practices.

“I can’t believe what just happened,” Rappa said. “[The woman] was

complaining that her daughter didn’t play. But she missed practices.”

After Estancia’s victory, the woman approached Rappa, saying she

needed to talk to the coach. But Rappa replied that she had to finish

her interview with the Daily Pilot and had to conduct a team meeting.

After the team meeting, Rappa told the woman that if she wanted to

talk, they could go to her office.

The woman would not go. “You can’t talk to me like I’m one of your

players,” she said.

Rappa ignored her, while the woman began talking to Estancia

girls’ athletic director Nancy Ferda. The mother told Ferda that

Rappa “embarrassed my daughter. She has been working hard.”

Minutes later, the woman reportedly hit Rappa, who was re-entering

the gym after walking outside.

Assistant coaches Zuyin Barrera and Marie Rodriguez were witnesses

to the confrontation. They said they saw the woman hit Rappa.

Officer George Rose said it would take 5 to 10 working days for

the police report to be processed and charges filed.

For highlights of the Estancia girls’ basketball game, see page

A8.