Detroit Central looking for new basketball coach

[digitalv]

A seventh-grade teacher and high school basketball coach in the Detroit Public Schools is facing a charge he had about 100 grams of heroin in his vehicle when he was pulled over in western Michigan late last month.

Robert Hatchett Jr., 40, of Southfield was scheduled to appear for a preliminary examination this morning before Battle Creek District Judge John Hallacy, but the hearing was adjourned.

Hatchett previously pleaded not guilty to the charge of possessing 50-449 grams of a controlled substance. He was arrested Jan. 26.

The school district put Hatchett on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation, said district spokesman Steven Wasko.

Hatchett was escorted from Paul Robeson Academy on the city’s west side around 2:15 p.m. Tuesday by DPS officials. He is a highly regarded seventh-grade math teacher and was in his first year as coach of Central High School’s basketball team, which had a playoff game Tuesday night.

Central lost to Crockett High in Tuesday night’s playoff game, 74-52, according to DPS.

Steven McGhee, principal at Central High, said he was shocked at the news of the suspension.

“I never would have suspected anything,” McGhee said. “He’s a teacher, certified, highly qualified educator.”

Michigan State Police said a trooper pulled Hatchett over on westbound I-94 near mile marker 115 in Calhoun County’s Marengo Township for an unspecified traffic violation. Police said Hatchett, who was alone, had nearly $23,000 in cash in the 2003 GMC Yukon he was driving.

Hatchett’s lawyer, Mark Kriger, declined comment today.

Wasko said: “While this is still the subject of investigation that will run its full course, if any employee, especially one in such close contact with children on a daily basis, is found to have been involved in illegal enterprises, we will always have zero tolerance for such activity.”

http://www.freep.com/article/2011020...21/1048/sports

Whoops! That controlled substance is heroin, if you were wondering.

I did find it funny that they mentioned that the teams are already in playoffs, which don't start until the first week of March.

[yourmom_is_hot]

http://www.freep.com/article/2011020...21/1048/sports

Whoops!

I did find it funny that they mentioned that the teams are already in playoffs, which don't start until the first week of March.

PSL playoffs

[digitalv]

PSL playoffs

ahhhhhh, that does make a little more sense then. Was gunna say who the heck did they get their info from.

I'm ashamed that as a bball scout, I didn't even know the PSL has bball playoffs. Then again, I've had to pick and choose which games to go to around that area since Hillsdale has tough academic standards to qualify.