Richmond Heights Spartans play ball without head coach

RICHMOND HEIGHTS, Ohio - The Richmond Heights High School boys basketball team played their first game Friday night since the removal of their controversial head coach. 

Jason Popp lost his coaching position for the rest of this season after team members complained that he made comments they described as insulting, degrading and racially offensive.

Among the spectators at Friday's game was Charles Hansford, a 2005 graduate who played under Coach Popp. Hansford said he was surprised by the allegations.

"He was never a mean guy," Hansford said. "He worked us hard,  always pushed us to be the best we could and made us feel like we were the best basketball players in the world even if we weren't."

The Spartans kept their undefeated season alive with a 70 - 51 win over Independence.

"I'm just really happy the kids get to play," Hansford said.