Parents and administrators say thieves stole from high school basketball players at the Blue and Gold Tournament in Springfield this week.
According to KYTV/KSPR, the thefts happened during games when players left their belongings in the locker rooms. Players from three schools, Nixa, Republic and Hartville claim things were stolen out of their bags.
Republic Athletic Director Trevyor Fisher said two players had $300 in cash stolen from their wallets, and another player’s Air Pods are also gone. Hartville AD and basketball coach Brett Reed says around 10 of his players are missing about $800 in cash and more Air Pods.
Nixa players say their locker room got hit, too.
Greenwood Athletic Director and basketball coach Darren Taylor said schools were told in advance that the tournament was not responsible for stolen items.
Republic and Hartville’s athletic directors say that’s true.
On the phone, Taylor said there is security everywhere, but said schools were instructed to put valuables in a secure bag, and take it to the bench with them.
Taylor said there was a reported incident of theft at the tournament in 2018. That’s why the warnings were sent out to schools days before it started.
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