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SoCalHoops Girls Hoops News

Girls' Hoops: Marina Coach Fired,
Players Upset--(Aug. 31, 1999)

Don't expect this to be a regular thing here at SoCalHoops, but since the message forum has been buzzing with stuff about Pete Bonny, the coach at Marina High, we thought we'd pick up on this one from yesterday's LA Times: Members of the Marina girls' basketball team, upset about the firing of their coach, Pete Bonny, had a meeting Sunday night to discuss their options. Bonny, who was fired Friday, had a record of 223-58 in nine seasons coaching at Marina. He led the Vikings to the 1998 Southern Section Division I-A title and at least a share of six Sunset League titles.

"I'm just shocked," senior forward Nikki Lee told the Times. "I almost cried when I found out. I don't understand why. He is such a part of us. We spend more time with him than our own families." The team hopes to meet with Marina Principal Carol Osbrink today to see if there is a way Bonny can be retained as coach. "We want to do this as soon as possible," junior guard Miranda Emde told the Times. "We know [Osbrink] is already looking for a new coach and we want to do whatever we can to stop her." Bonny told his players he was fired because of a letter he wrote to a referee criticizing the referee's work at a summer tournament, according to Emde and Lee. Emde said that a less severe punishment was called for. "We are totally mad," Emde said. "'We had no idea this was going to happen. They didn't give him any warnings, just bam, you're fired." Booster club President Chuck Emde said there are a number of people upset by the decision. "Pete may not be Mr. Personality, but he gives so much of himself to the kids and the program. He has done a tremendous amount for this program and the school. There are a lot of people trying to get the decision reversed." Osbrink and Bonny could not be reached for comment. Apparently there are further meetings scheduled, including one today with the Booster's Club to gather community support for retaining Bonny. We're certain this isn't the last we've heard of this.