Woodland Hills Basketball Player: 'My Actions Were Completely Inexcusable'

A basketball player charged with throwing a punch at last Saturday’s game publicly apologized at a news conference held this morning.

Shakim Alonzo sat with his parents at the Woodland Hills board room while athletic director George Novak also issued his own apology on behalf of the program.

“To achieve, you must endure,” Novak said. “No matter what happens to you in life, you can’t let it affect you negatively—you have to take the high road.”

Alonzo, 17, was charged Thursday in a juvenile petition with assault by California University of Pennsylvania campus police, according to the Washington Observer-Reporter. At a game against Peters Township Saturday, Alonzo was seen striking Gabe Pritz on the head during Class AAAA contest at the university.

Before introducing Alonzo, Novak called the player an honor roll student who has been a positive leader in the school and community. He also said many people were surprised to hear about what happened and said Alonzo has never been involved in an incident such as this in the past.

Alonzo apologized to the entire Peters Township basketball team among others.

“My actions were completely inexcusable and I am sorry,” Alonzo said. “My teammates, coach and the Woodland Hills community, I am truly sorry. Being a member of the basketball team is a privilege and an honor, and I failed to represent my team in an appropriate manner, and I am very sorry for the negative publicity I have brought to the team and community.”

He went on to say that both his coach and Novak have done their part to teach the importance of sportsmanship.

“Unfortunately, events during the game led to poor decision-making on my part,” Alonzo said. “I also want to apologize to my family. I am blessed with a loving family who always taught me right from wrong.”

Alonzo closed by stating he wishes Peters Township continued success in the playoffs.

“No matter what happened to him during the game, Shakim’s actions were unacceptable, and as I stated, he has been disciplined accordingly,” Novak said. “The Woodland Hills School District would like to apologize to the WPIAL and all of its membership. We would also like to apologize to California University and the security personnel, and most important of all, we would like to apologize to Gabe Pritz, and the Peters Township basketball team and school district.”

Alonzo was for sprinting to the foul line to punch Pritz. He has previously stated that Peters Township used a racial slur toward him during the game. He did not discuss the racial slurs during Friday's news conference.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that District Communications Director Maria McCool said the district has interviewed those present at the game and sent findings to the WPIAL, which is expected to take up the issue during the next board of directors meeting March 19.

“We must all continue to improve sportsmanship in all of our individual schools,” Novak said in closing.

Woodland Hills Superintendent Walter Calinger and other board members were present during the news conference, but did not make public statements themselves.