Ooltewah Basketball Team Captain Supports Coach Baker

   An Ooltewah high school basketball coach could face disciplinary action for using a racial slur after a Thursday night basketball game. A decision on that will come later this week but in the meantime, the team captain is speaking out in support of Coach Ron Baker.
   Terrell Maffett leads the Ooltewah Owls. The high school basketball team captain has played under Coach Ron Baker for almost 2 years/ He says labeling Coach Baker a racist is unfair. Maffett, "If that was the case I don't believe he'd have a black captain, he wouldn't do the things he does for our half white half black team, he loves each of us equally."
   Maffett describes Coach Baker as an animated, strict coach who is passionate about winning. Maffett was injured during Friday nights game and was not in the locker room when Coach Baker admits he used the "N" word to describe the opposing team. Terrell spoke to Coach Baker and several of the players by phone after the incident.
   Maffett, "All of the players except a few told me that what was said was all taken out of context, it wasn't directed towards anyone individually, he says he owes Red Bank an apology."
   Terrell says everyone has said something in the heat of the moment that they later regret. His father George agrees the situation is being blown out of proportion because Coach Baker is white. George Maffett, "If it was black coach we wouldn't be having this conversation right now, nobody would be going to the school board."
   Mr. Maffett says he thinks some players and their parents are upset because they want more game time. "Everybody that I know likes Coach Baker, he's just a very dramatic coach."
   Terrell Maffett says he doesn't want to see Coach Baker's coaching career come to an end because of one mistake.