It was supposed to be a second-grade basketball game — squeaky sneakers, proud parents, and juice boxes waiting in the car.
Instead, a February 1 matchup in Pennsylvania ended in a hallway brawl, injuries, and criminal charges against an assistant coach and her 70-year-old father.
According to Lower Merion police, Brittany Ortiz, 38, of Malvern, and her father, William Stanley, 70, of Paoli, are facing multiple charges stemming from the alleged incident at Holy Child School in Rosemont. The game involved 7- and 8-year-old players in the Malvern Basketball League, which is not affiliated with the Catholic school where it was held.
What unfolded after the final whistle, authorities say, was anything but child’s play.
The dispute allegedly began during the game when Ortiz started shouting and cursing from the sidelines. Her behavior reportedly sparked a heated verbal exchange with the opposing team’s assistant coach.
According to the affidavit of probable cause cited by NBC 10 Philadelphia, Stanley soon joined his daughter in arguing with the opposing head coach.
Tempers did not cool once the game ended.
Police say Ortiz continued confronting the opposing coach and his wife in the gym hallway after the game concluded. Witnesses told investigators that Ortiz allegedly grabbed the coach’s wife by the hair and slammed her to the ground, causing her head to strike the floor.
The criminal complaint states the woman suffered a concussion, a scalp contusion, and clumps of hair pulled from her head.
As the opposing coach attempted to intervene, authorities allege Stanley struck him in the head. Ortiz is accused of kicking the coach in the inner thigh and attempting to kick him in the groin.
At the time, the coach was holding his 3-year-old daughter.
According to reports, the child became hysterical during the altercation, urinated on herself, and sustained a bruise on her leg. The coach himself reportedly suffered bruising to his inner thigh.
What began as a youth basketball game devolved into a scene that left adults injured and a toddler traumatized.
Ortiz has been charged with assault on a sports official, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, disorderly conduct, and harassment. Her unsecured bail was set at $10,000, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 5.
Her attorney told NBC10 that he plans to review the evidence and will “vigorously defend” her.
Stanley later turned himself in to authorities. His attorney, Nathan J. Schadler, told NBC10 that Stanley maintains his innocence and claims he suffered injuries during the altercation, including broken bones and a head injury. Schadler said Stanley was taken to the hospital.
“We will be doing our own investigation and speaking to people who were there,” Schadler said. “My client asserts his innocence, and it was my client’s family who called 911 and asked the police to show up in this matter.”
