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Contains accusations from Fairfax HS teachers that Sidney got preferential treatment while in school because he's an athlete. There has been talk ever since he verballed to USC that when people actually see his transcripts they think how in the world is this kid eligible in HS let alone going to qualify for USC. My guess is he's already enrolling in BYU online courses.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-sondheimer13-2009mar13,0,561067.column
This has been a week of turmoil and second-guessing at Fairfax, with Sidney front and center in a debate among teachers whether he received preferential treatment because of his basketball status.
On Tuesday, a disruption took place in a Spanish class. A counselor arrived, and Sidney became involved in a verbal dispute. An allegation was made that Sidney used vulgarities and was disrespectful. This happened hours before Fairfax was scheduled to leave on a bus for its state playoff game at Santa Ana Mater Dei.
School officials began an investigation, but Principal Edward Zubiate said he didn't have enough time or information to make a final decision.
Sidney was allowed to play in Fairfax's 79-64 victory
On Wednesday, Zubiate suspended Sidney from school for one day and took away a senior privilege after deciding evidence indicated he had engaged in disrupting behavior.
Zubiate said he would have suspended Sidney for Tuesday's game based on the additional information, but the suspension was enforced Wednesday, when Fairfax had no game and no practice.
"You don't want to punish him more because he's a famous kid," Zubiate said when asked why he was allowed to play Thursday.
A person familiar with the incident said a complaint was filed by a member of the Fairfax staff. The staff member had told Sidney during the classroom disruption to keep his hands away from a jar of pennies atop a teacher's desk.
A person familiar with the complaint said it alleges Sidney then responded, "I have more damn money than any of the teachers at this school."
Sidney was then ordered to a school office, but allegedly added, "I don't need to listen to you."
This wasn't the first time Sidney, a McDonald's All-American, has received unwanted attention. During a game against L.A. University, Sidney directed a vulgarity-laced comment near the Wildcats' bench about their defense.
Two weeks ago, after a City Section semifinal game with Woodland Hills Taft, he used vulgarities when Taft Coach Derrick Taylor approached him after the game.
Sidney later apologized to Taylor. He also apologized to the staff member, according to Zubiate.
But Sidney's attitude is strikingly similar to what transpired last summer, when he played erratically in travel tournaments and got into shouting matches with referees. It raises the question if he's digressing rather than progressing just months before he's supposed to start his college career at USC.
Fairfax Coach Harvey Kitani refused to let Sidney speak to media after Tuesday's game, which might have been the best decision of the week.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-sondheimer13-2009mar13,0,561067.column
This has been a week of turmoil and second-guessing at Fairfax, with Sidney front and center in a debate among teachers whether he received preferential treatment because of his basketball status.
On Tuesday, a disruption took place in a Spanish class. A counselor arrived, and Sidney became involved in a verbal dispute. An allegation was made that Sidney used vulgarities and was disrespectful. This happened hours before Fairfax was scheduled to leave on a bus for its state playoff game at Santa Ana Mater Dei.
School officials began an investigation, but Principal Edward Zubiate said he didn't have enough time or information to make a final decision.
Sidney was allowed to play in Fairfax's 79-64 victory
On Wednesday, Zubiate suspended Sidney from school for one day and took away a senior privilege after deciding evidence indicated he had engaged in disrupting behavior.
Zubiate said he would have suspended Sidney for Tuesday's game based on the additional information, but the suspension was enforced Wednesday, when Fairfax had no game and no practice.
"You don't want to punish him more because he's a famous kid," Zubiate said when asked why he was allowed to play Thursday.
A person familiar with the incident said a complaint was filed by a member of the Fairfax staff. The staff member had told Sidney during the classroom disruption to keep his hands away from a jar of pennies atop a teacher's desk.
A person familiar with the complaint said it alleges Sidney then responded, "I have more damn money than any of the teachers at this school."
Sidney was then ordered to a school office, but allegedly added, "I don't need to listen to you."
This wasn't the first time Sidney, a McDonald's All-American, has received unwanted attention. During a game against L.A. University, Sidney directed a vulgarity-laced comment near the Wildcats' bench about their defense.
Two weeks ago, after a City Section semifinal game with Woodland Hills Taft, he used vulgarities when Taft Coach Derrick Taylor approached him after the game.
Sidney later apologized to Taylor. He also apologized to the staff member, according to Zubiate.
But Sidney's attitude is strikingly similar to what transpired last summer, when he played erratically in travel tournaments and got into shouting matches with referees. It raises the question if he's digressing rather than progressing just months before he's supposed to start his college career at USC.
Fairfax Coach Harvey Kitani refused to let Sidney speak to media after Tuesday's game, which might have been the best decision of the week.
