Duncanville High School forced to forfeit final girls' basketball game due to ongoing investigation

Duncanville ISD is once again in the spotlight. A new district investigation caused the girls’ basketball coaches and former head coach to be put on leave and the team to forfeit their final game Tuesday night.

DUNCANVILLE, Texas - There is more trouble for the Duncanville High School girls' basketball program, which was already banned by the UIL from participating in the playoffs.

Duncanville ISD has now suspended the girls’ coaching staff and the former head coach, who was already suspended by the UIL last year but retained by the district as an employee in another role.

The district says the former head coach may have violated her suspension.

Duncanville High School forced to forfeit final girls' basketball game due to ongoing investigation

The Duncanville girls’ basketball team had a perfect 12-0 record in district play before Duncanville ISD forced the team to forfeit its Tuesday night game against Skyline High School.

But they weren't going to the playoffs anyway. Last October, the UIL banned the program from the postseason and put it on probation for three years. The UIL found it violated recruiting rules and practice restrictions.

Now the district, on its own, is alleging there are new allegations.

Duncanville ISD suspended the entire girls’ basketball coaching staff and former head coach LaJeanna Howard with pay.

In a statement, Duncanville ISD Superintendent Marc Smith said, "I recently became aware of allegations regarding the Duncanville High School girls’ basketball coaches. I and the district’s administration take these allegations seriously. When we learned about the allegations, the district immediately began an investigation."

MORE DUNCANVILLE NEWS HERE

Duncanville ISD refused to give any details about its investigation other than saying Howard potentially violated her one-year suspension by the UIL.

The district did not fire Howard when the UIL punished her last October but rather gave her another position in the district while she served her suspension.

The girls team ranked eleventh in the country is not the only Duncanville team suspended from post-season play.

The boys’ basketball team currently ranked third in the nation has a self-imposed district ban from the playoffs following another UIL investigation.

However, the UIL did force the team to forfeit all games from the 2021-2022 season and give up their 2022 6A State Championship because they played with an ineligible player.

The UIL suspended the boys’ head coach David Peavy for a year, but the district also retained Peavy as an employee, giving him another position in the district.

Duncanville HS stripped of 2022 state basketball championship due to rules violations

The new girls’ program investigation comes after the district last November also created a new compliance officer position for that employee to make sure the athletic programs follow UIL rules.

FOX 4 reached out to the UIL for more information but did not get a response.

As for the girls’ basketball team investigation, Duncanville ISD said it could not provide any additional information.

January 12, 2023 – For the fourth time in the past five years, the DHS football team returned to the UIL 6A State Championship game with this matchup bringing the state’s top title home to the City of Champions.

The City of Duncanville is hosting a parade honoring the 2022 6A Division 1 State Champions. The community is invited to attend this celebratory parade to congratulate the team and the coaching staff for their accomplishment. The UIL Championship parade will be held Friday, January 13, 2023. The route begins at 7:00pm on Wheatland at Freeman Street in Duncanville, with a recognition ceremony starting at 7:45pm at the amphitheater in Armstrong Park, 100 James Collins Blvd, Duncanville, TX 75116.

Head Coach Reginald Samples has one of the most decorated coaching careers in state history. He has more than 30 years and over 300 wins as a head coach at Lincoln, Skyline, and Duncanville. He has developed Duncanville High School football into one of the most dominant teams in Texas. “Our players have a lot of class, and they play hard” said Coach Samples. “I want another one!”

“I am very proud of Coach Samples, his coaching staff and these young men.” said Superintendent Dr. Marc Smith. “This team had an undefeated season and was relentless in their pursuit of the state championship title.”

AUSTIN – Texas Lottery^® players will be testing their luck this Friday the 13^th, as they play for an estimated annuitized $1.35 billion Mega Millions jackpot, the second-largest jackpot prize in game history and fourth largest in U.S. lottery history. According to Mega Millions, six prior Mega Millions jackpots have been won by out-of-state players on Friday the 13^th. As of 1 p.m. today, current hourly sales per minute in Texas are $16,089.

The Friday, Jan. 13, 2023 drawing offers a cash value worth an estimated $724.6 million. If there is no jackpot winner for tonight’s Mega Millions drawing, the jackpot prize for the Tuesday, Jan. 17 drawing will roll to an estimated annuitized $1.62 billion.

The number 13 has been a lucky one for the Texas Lottery when it comes to the Mega Millions game. To date, there have been 13 Mega Millions jackpot prize winners in Texas Lottery history and in 2022, 13 Texas Lottery players won second-tier Mega Millions prizes of $1 million or larger.

“The Texas Lottery is hoping that at least one of our players has a lot of good luck this Friday the 13^th and is fortunate enough to win the enormous Mega Millions jackpot prize that is up for grabs in tonight’s drawing,” said Gary Grief, executive director of the Texas Lottery. “As this jackpot has grown over the last several weeks, sales for the game in Texas have been robust and we expect to see a strong sales pace in the hours leading up to tonight’s drawing. Playing for jackpot prizes like the one we’re currently seeing is exciting for lottery players, so we want to remind our players to play responsibly; it only takes one ticket to win. Also, if it appears that you have the jackpot-winning ticket after tonight’s drawing, we encourage you to sign the ticket, put it in a safe place, seek financial and legal advice and call the Texas Lottery to schedule an appointment to claim the prize.”

Friday’s drawing will be the 26^th in the current Mega Millions jackpot run since starting as an estimated annuitized $20 million for the Oct. 18, 2022 drawing. This is the largest Mega Millions jackpot up for grabs since the Oct. 23, 2018 drawing when it reached an estimated $1.537 billion – the game’s largest jackpot prize, which was won by an out of state player.

Texas’ most recent Mega Millions jackpot winner came in September 2019 when a Leander resident won an estimated annuitized $227 million, the largest prize ever paid out to a single Texas Lottery player. During the current jackpot run, three Texas Lottery players have won second-tier Mega Millions prizes of $1 million or larger. A Whitesboro resident claimed a $3 million second-tier prize for the drawing held on Nov. 1, 2022. More recently, two second-tier prize winning tickets worth $1 million each were sold at the same retailer – Luck Zone, located at 1250 E. Palm Valley Blvd., in Round Rock – for the Dec. 20, 2022 and Jan. 3, 2023 drawings. Both of those prizes are yet to be claimed.

A second-tier Mega Millions prize worth $1 million from the July 29, 2022 drawing has yet to be claimed by a Texas Lottery player and will expire on Jan. 25 at 5 p.m. local time if not claimed by the deadline. The winning ticket for the unclaimed prize was sold at Fuel Maxx #47, located at 420 University Drive, in Prairie View. A winning ticket worth $1 million for the same drawing was sold in Plano and has recently been claimed.

Mega Millions is played by choosing five numbers from a field of 70 and one Mega Ball number from the second field of 25 numbers. To win the Mega Millions jackpot, players must match all six numbers drawn including the Mega Ball. Players matching fewer numbers may not win the jackpot, but could still walk away winners. Mega Millions currently offers a $20 million starting jackpot and a second-tier (Match 5+0) prize of $1 million. By choosing the Megaplier^® feature for $1 more per Play, players can multiply their non-jackpot winnings by two, three, four or five times, winning as much as $5 million.

Drawings are broadcast each Tuesday and Friday at 10:12 p.m. CT. Texas Lottery players can purchase Mega Millions tickets at more than 20,000 Texas Lottery retailers across the state. Ticket sales for the next Mega Millions drawing will close at 9:45 p.m. CT on Friday, Jan. 13. The retailer that sells a jackpot-winning Mega Millions ticket may be eligible to receive up to a $1 million retailer bonus.

Two of the top 6A teams in North Texas square off for a district championship on Friday Night Football.

DUNCANVILLE, Texas — There isn't a high school football game in North Texas this season that is bigger than this: No. 9 DeSoto at No. 3 Duncanville.

Two state powers. Two college football factories. Two high-profile head coaches. And a district title on the line.

You can watch the game live on Friday Night Football, on the WFAA YouTube channel and WFAA+:

DeSoto and Duncanville are two of the three best teams in the area. Denton Guyer has to go in the mix with them. But nobody else in the area is in that upper-tier with these three teams. And the long-standing rivalry between the programs only adds to the sizzle in this matchup.

DeSoto is led by junior quarterback D.J. Bailey and his 29-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio, and his superstar receiving corps, headlined by 5-star Texas commit Johntay Cook. The Eagles have no fewer than five future Division I wide receivers in Cook, Cedric Harden, Dahlyn Jones, Crimson Mathis and Daylon Singleton.

DeSoto also features three fantastic running backs that help pace their offense in Deondre Riden, Tre Wisner and Jaden Trawick. The Eagles won the 7-on-7 state championship this past summer, and their embarrassment of riches at the skill positions is exactly why. Their offensive line has also rounded into form quite nicely over the course of the year, clearing the path for their superstars.

Duncanville, meanwhile, features a defense loaded with Division I talent of its own. The leader of that group is 5-star defensive end Colin Simmons. Simmons is the No. 2 rated edge rusher in the junior class, and has 43 scholarship offers. Simmons is one of at least eight Duncanville defensive players that are future Division I players. Safety Kadavion Dotson-Walker is a 4-star prospect with 18 scholarship offers. He links up with a pair of 3-star prospects, Del'Drick Madison and Lamodrick Spencer, to form a very gifted Panthers secondary.

The Desoto offense against the Duncanville defense is worth watching all by itself.

On the flip side of the football, Duncanville is led by their ground game. Four-star running back Caden Durham has 13 scholarship offers, including Alabama, Oklahoma, TCU, and others. He has ran for 718 yards and 12 touchdowns this season behind an offensive line led by 3-star TCU commit right tackle Ben Whitfield, and left tackle Josiah Drake.

The Panthers have their own set of weapons at wide receiver, led by sophomore superstar Dakorien Moore. The 5-star prospect is the No. 11 wide receiver in the sophomore class in America. Along with 3-star prospect Lontrell Turner, the tandem form a high-level pass-catching threat for sophomore quarterback Keelon Russell. Russell is projected to end up as a high-level recruit himself, but was thrust into the starting lineup this season after a season-ending ACL injury for Duncanville's planned starter, Jameir Willis.

Duncanville will counter with a secondary loaded with college prospects. Four-star corner Mario Buford on one side. Three-star Caimon Mathis on the other. Both safeties, Jamarion Ravenell and DeMichael Porter, are Division I-bound as well. The Desoto secondary has the horses to run with Duncanville's elite receivers. That matchup is a juicy one.

Duncanville has won the last four meetings in the series, dating back to 2017. Desoto's last win came in their state championship season in 2016. They've met in the Regional Final in each of the last two years, with Duncanville winning both times. This time, the District 11-6A Championship is on the line.

You can watch the game live on the WFAA YouTube channel or on WFAA+. Our coverage begins with our pregame show at 6:50 p.m., before kickoff at 7 p.m..

More Texas headlines:

Duncanville City Council Dismisses City Manager During Thursday Meeting

After 18 minutes of comments unavailable to virtual attendees, Mayor Barry Gordon, had the sound turned back on and explained why there was no sound for anyone who was not in attendance at the meeting.

Gordon said: “During the election period … we do not broadcast sound. We broadcast video. And here in person, we do not record citizen comments either. So those individuals that are watching virtually you did not have sound during those first citizen comments, but I wanted the sound back on to explain to those watching virtually what is going on.”

After approximately 41 minutes into the meeting, following citizen comments, the sound was turned back on allowing those watching online to hear the rest of the open session of the meeting.

Mayor Gordon then informed attendees and the virtual audience that normally all four items on the agenda concerning personnel would normally be in closed session, City Manager Benavides had requested that Item B (City Council shall convene into closed Executive Session pursuant to Section 551.074 of the Texas Local Government Code, Personnel Matters to discuss the appointment, employment, evaluation, performance, reassignment, duties, discipline or dismissal of the City Manager) be held in open session.

Mayor Gordon went on to explain that the comments that the council would normally make in closed session would therefore be made in open session, pursuant to Ms. Ferrell-Benavides’ request.

Council Enters Executive Session

At 6:44 the Council adjourned into their first executive session to seek the advice of the city attorney. The session lasted until 7:58 when the council was reconvened.

As requested by Ms. Ferrell-Benevides, the next comments would be done in open rather than closed sessions.

Craig Capua, an attorney from West and Associates there representing the City Manager, then read a statement by Ms. Ferrell-Benevides (link has her remarks).

After his remarks, Mayor Gordon called on each council member to speak. The first was Patrick Harvey, who requested the special Thursday meeting.

Mr. Harvey said he would like to comment on Mr. Capua’s statement. He said: “Her attorney mentioned how, when she was going through the interview process, that a city council member called and encouraged her to keep going in that process and it just so happens I was that city council member. Unfortunately, as it turned out, I was looking for a level of performance that I did not receive … with that being said and reinforced by what was just read, yes, I have lost confidence in the city manager. I do not trust the city manager. And with that, I would like to make a motion to terminate effective immediately the employment of Aretha Ferrell-Benevides as City Manager and she will receive her final severance in accordance with her contract.”

Councilmember Koontz seconded the motion.

Mayor Gordon said no vote will be taken until each council member expresses their thoughts.

City Council Shares Thoughts On City Manager

Councilmember Veracruz was the first to speak. He said “I want to make it short and clear. I have full faith and confidence in our City Manager, Aretha Ferrell-Benevides.”

Councilmember McBurnett said, “I do agree with Mr. Harvey and I agree with that assessment and therefore I’m leaning in that direction.”

Councilman Koontz said “I have no comment except to say I intend to do what is good and what is right based on all the information that I have received and what I believe best serves the residents, the district that I represent, and what I believe best serves the best interests of this entire community. Even if it’s at my own personal cost and expense.”

Councilmember Cherry read James 4:17. “‘For whoever knows the right thing to do, and fails to do it, for him it is sin.’ So, for me, I came to Duncanville 14 years ago, and I felt invisible and not appreciated. Shortly after the city manager came, I went to congratulate her and asked her if I could talk with her to see what her vision was for the city. I was so excited to see the direction the city was going which made me want to get more involved with the city. Been here, in this spot today. So, I’ve heard it said that the city council reports that we … the city … supposed to do whatever our constituents say – whatever – and I agree with that, but even moreso, I report to God, and I’m responsible at the end of all this, when judgment day comes, to say, Lord, please know that I did your will and not my feelings. So, I ask that each of our members put your personal feelings … look at the things that have been accomplished and what we feel happened to us.”

Councilmember Contreras said, “Based on my experience … observations during the course of this year, which is the review period that’s under question, I’ve lost my confidence for this city manager to lead us in the manner that I think best serves the community so I would not be in favor of retaining our city manager at this point.”

Mayor Gordon then addressed the council and the audience:

“When the selection of Ms. Ferrell-Benevides was made, I opposed. I was that three. I was opposed to her being hired as the City Manager of Duncanville. I had my reasons, and it was quoted outside of the executive session, but I will not deny what I said. I said that based on her interview and her personality and behaviors, I felt she was more of an iron lady and I wasn’t sure that our staff would be able to accommodate the behaviors and personalities of a strong, strong city manager. What I have learned in my 33 years of business and under the tutelage and mentorship of two-star generals in the military. You don’t make snap judgments when there is a new person on board. You watch, you learn, you make some determinations and after six or seven months you begin to make a change and that’s when you start to make your judgment calls.

That’s what I did. I’ll never forget that I did oppose her hiring. I will go on record to say today I have seen no better performance … exceptional performance and dedication to duty that I’ve seen in Aretha Ferrell-Benevides. I am her champion and I have taken heat from certain individuals in this city for being her champion and I don’t care because I don’t take sides.

What about her performance? Let us not forget individuals – we as a city council voted here to cap the costs of fire station number one. When the contractor came forward to attempt to violate what we had agreed upon … and the city council to not allow the costs to a certain million dollar amount she undertook by herself to go to that contractor and say ‘you ain’t messing with the City of Duncanville. Back off!’ What we had decided was held in place. The cost did not go over what we had agreed to by the City Council. That cap was in place.

This city has been awarded $9.6 million under President Biden’s ARPA – the American Relief Project. $9.6 million coming down from the federal government has to be monitored, controlled, dispersed, and allocated in such a way that any scrutiny by the federal government would not show any discrepancies. City Manager Ferrell-Benevides three times has brought to this city council an itemized accounting for every dollar that we received from ARPA … and to say that’s not performance – I disagree. That is accountability. Transparency.

Her attorney in her statement disclosed accounting issues with what was going on in our accounting department. Did Aretha Ferrell-Benevides hide that from this city council? No. She did not. It was made clear. She told us, things were screwed up. Things were messed up. But, we had a finance director with the capability, the experience… to fix it. We’re still working on those problems today. That’s how massive – when her city – her attorney said we have two books – we had two books ladies and gentlemen – that was disclosed, discussed with …”

Point of Order Called

Councilman McBurnett then called a point of order. Mayor Gordon asked why the councilman was calling a point of order. McBurnett replied that he felt the mayor was saying things that were out of line and wrong. The mayor called for a vote on the point of order and the vote was 4-3 in favor of the point of order.

Mayor Gordon then said the point of order is enforced, but I continue with my remarks. The individuals that our city manager has brought on board since her arrival have done an exceptional job. The economic development that has occurred in our city, and the projects that are underway, are coded so the developer’s confidence is not betrayed because they are looking at our city. Why are they looking at our city? Because Duncanville is now on somebody’s map saying that we have the possibility of being big here and that’s because of her and whom she has hired to do that job.

Our IT section was in shambles. It’s being repaired. Why? It’s because of who she chose to do the job. We’re fixing our problems. I think I’ve said enough that you know where I stand about my support … it’s unconditional. And, I also feel for this meeting to be held knowing that she cannot be present is disrespectful.

Mayor Gordon then called for a vote on the motion. The vote was 4-3 to dismiss with Harvey, McBurnett, Koontz, and Contreras to dismiss and Veracruz, Gordon, and Cherry voting no.

There was then another executive session.

The council returned from the final executive session at 8:55 pm. Mayor Gordon said there are two actions still needing to be taken.

“First, is to appoint Robert Brown as Interim City Manager effective immediately.” Gordon called for the motion, which was made and unanimously approved. The second also approved, was to direct Mr. Brown to initiate the solicitation process to identify and acquire a new city manager. This was also approved unanimously.”

Duncanville five-star forward Ron Holland tweeted Friday that he wants out of his letter of intent to play basketball at Texas, saying he has “decided to de commit.”

Holland, the top-ranked player in Texas, signed his letter of intent in November, one month before head coach Chris Beard was arrested on a third-degree felony charge of assault and later suspended.

Texas fired Beard in January and promoted interim coach Rodney Terry to head coach after Texas’ run to the Sweet 16 in the 2023 NCAA tournament.

Though Holland would have been permitted to decommit from an oral commitment, National Letter of Intent rules say the penalty for not fulfilling a signed letter of intent agreement is that a student-athlete must serve one year in residence at the next NLI member institution and lose one season of competition in all sports.

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A university spokesperson declined to comment on Holland. A member of Holland’s family did not respond to a request for a comment.

Holland said in a tweet that he has “decided to ... re-open my recruitment.”

Holland also tweeted that Texas would still be one of his top choices. Arkansas and UCLA were his two other finalists before he chose the Longhorns. Anthony Black — his former high school teammate at Duncanville, who declared for the NBA draft this month after one season at Arkansas — tweeted seven sunglasses emojis after Holland’s announcement.

NLI rules say member institutions must cease recruitment of a prospective student-athlete once an NLI is signed with another institution.

Kentucky and the NBA’s G League Ignite — with which Pinkston four-star guard Dink Pate signed earlier this month — were in Holland’s top five, which he announced in May of 2022.

“I want to take this time to thank head coach [Rodney Terry] and the entire Texas coaching staff for their consideration,” Holland said in a tweet. “I would also like to thank the Longhorn Nation for all their love and support.”

Holland, a 6-8 forward, was named the Texas Gatorade Player of the Year and a McDonald’s All-American as a senior after he averaged 20.5 points and 10.1 rebounds for Duncanville (29-1), which finished No. 3 in ESPN’s national high school boys basketball rankings. He was a Dallas Morning News all-area honoree as a junior and a senior.

Duncanville, the 6A state champion in 2021, did not compete in this year’s UIL postseason after the school district’s self-imposed opt out. Holland won a state championship with Duncanville in 2022, though the UIL later stripped the school of its title and suspended head coach David Peavy for one season due to use of an ineligible player.

Holland was Texas’ No. 1 recruit, and rose to No. 2 in ESPN’s national class of 2023 rankings after a strong showing at the Nike Hoops Summit in April. Another high-profile Texas signee, five-star guard AJ Johnson (Southern California Academy), requested his release from the Longhorns to play professionally for the National Basketball League in Australia.