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Angry Parents Meet After Controversial Girls' Basketball Coach Is Reinstated

JEFFERSON HILLS (KDKA) -- A group of upset and angry parents met Thursday night in Jefferson Hills, after a vote this week by the West Jefferson Hills School Board.

Board members on Tuesday night voted 5-4 to reinstate girls' basketball coach Phil Shar.

The parents say as many as 10 of the team's members will likely refuse to play when the season starts because the girls believe Shar treats them in a negative fashion.

David Willig, whose daughter is a senior on the team, told KDKA-TV'S Ralph Iannotti, "It's an environment where there's a lot of mental abuse, and you could see if his tenure continued, the girls are not having fun, they're scared."

Willig said, "These girls are not quitting basketball; they're quitting to play for Coach Shar."

Another parent whose daughter plays for Shar, Lori Mascaro, said it made no sense for the board decision to rehire Shar.

Mascaro said, "Why would they [the board members] not listen to the girls, and really hear them. There's something serious going on."

We reached out to Shar and several members of the school board Thursday night, but got no response.

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