A local father is calling for an investigation after an alleged confrontation following a Ben Franklin High School boys basketball game in which the father of an opposing player is accused of confronting and verbally intimidating two visiting children, according to social media posts.
The children involved are the son and nephew of Derrick Diggs, who reported on Facebook that the father of Ben Franklin player number 2 approached the young players after the game, “got in their faces,” and shouted at them.
Diggs wrote that he was not at the game but that both children returned home upset.
In posts, Diggs said his son came home crying and that the boy “did everything not to disrespect that man,” adding that the family plans to contact the school when classes resume.
Diggs’s social media posts sought help identifying the student wearing jersey number 2 and asked community members to share information about the player’s name and the identity of the parent who approached the children.
He stated his intent to pursue the matter through official channels once the district reopens.
Parents demand accountability after a verbal altercation involving the opposing player’s father
The post drew immediate responses from neighbors and other parents. Lynn Diggs advised restraint, writing, “I am so glad that school is close that means you can’t see that little boy dad go talk to the coach let them handle it.”
Tina Marie Clark urged caution and recommended collecting proof and witnesses: “Calm down fam look at the bigger picture… Do what we did we put so much pressure on that teacher though the school board he was fired,” she wrote, and added practical advice to secure witness names and video.
Others supported Diggs’s push for a formal response. Amber Bruce wrote, “Definitely contact the school because this is nuts.
Better stop playing with people’s kids.” Several commenters stressed the importance of documentation.
Clark also recommended demanding to see any video and asking to meet with the superintendent with proof.
A separate thread in the comments touched on race and community dynamics.
In response to Diggs’s expression of anger, Steven Israel commented, “please allow yourself to start seeing COLOR… this is our biggest mistake as Black parents we want to take that so-called high road as if COLOR DON’T MATTER.”
Diggs replied that he was “so fucking pissed” and that he intended to find out who the parent was.
Those exchanges reflect heightened tensions and concerns about how race may have influenced the confrontation, an allegation that has not been independently verified.
Social media commenters also emphasized the children’s conduct. In one post preserved in the thread, a family member wrote that the child “did everything not to disrespect that man,” and the father reported that the boy followed instructions not to escalate the encounter.
As of publication, Ben Franklin High School and district officials have not issued a public statement about the alleged incident.
School districts generally handle such complaints by collecting written statements, interviewing witnesses, reviewing any available game footage, and following established disciplinary procedures when adults are involved.
Local parents and observers said they expect the district to review the matter and urged both parties to allow administrators to carry out a formal inquiry.
Advice from commenters focused on building a case that administrators can act on: gather witness names, preserve any video recording, and submit a written complaint to the principal and athletic director.
The episode has prompted debate about boundaries and behavior by adults at youth sporting events.
Several commenters warned against taking the matter into private hands and urged reliance on school processes to avoid legal consequences.
Tina Marie Clark warned that confrontations can have serious repercussions and suggested pursuing administrative pressure instead.
Diggs’s posts indicate he will pursue the matter through school channels when they reopen and is asking the community to share any relevant information. The family says the goal is accountability rather than escalation.
The case highlights the need for clear protocols at school events to protect students and to ensure that allegations involving adults and children are handled transparently and fairly.
Community members said they will watch for a response from school officials and expect the district to explain what steps, if any, were taken to address the complaint.
