Two New Jersey high school students wore controversial costumes while performing a skit at a basketball game in Atlantic City County.
One student from Holy Spirit High School dressed as a banana and the other dressed as a monkey while attempting to distract players from Atlantic City High School, the majority of whom are black, NBC Philadelphia reported. The students at the Catholic high school were issued warnings about their costumes but were not punished. The Cape Atlantic League's board of referees said the behavior was inappropriate and the game's referees were reprimanded.
Many spectators complained about the behavior and became frustrated that no adults had stepped in to stop it, according to the Daily Mail. Atlantic City's athletic director Anthony Nistico questioned why no adults had stepped in and asked where the referees were during this performance.
The two students also hid behind a shower curtain in an attempt to scare the opposing team, while another female student dressed up as a cowgirl for the skit. While some were offended, in a poll on the Press of Atlantic City website, 50.3 percent of people felt that the students should not be punished because many students dress up for basketball games.
Many spectators said the students were being silly, but the administrators and parents should have stepped in to stop it, NBC Philadelphia said. However, there were no reports of conflicts or issues at Friday's game.
Atlantic City beat Holy Spirit 54-53, according to Daily Mail.
