High school basketball player raped during hazing: police
CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee -- Gatlinburg police confirm three juveniles from Ooltewah High School have been charged with aggravated assault and aggravated rape after a hazing incident, reports CBS Chattanooga affiliate WDEF-TV.
The victim, a freshman basketball player, is recovering from surgery from the attack, authorities say.
The three older players were dismissed from the team after the alleged incident, which police say happened during the Smoky Mountain Classic basketball tournament, which was held from December 21 through December 23.
The victim's condition wasn't immediately known.
The three juveniles charged are being held in the Sevier County Juvenile Facility.
The Times Free Press newspaper says the victim was injured with a pool cue in the basement of a cabin the team was renting during the tournament.
School officials said a decision hasn't been made about the boys' punishment because school is out for the holidays, according to the Times Free Press.
The newspaper cites Ooltewah High Schools athletic director Jesse Nayadley, who has a freshman son on the team, as saying at least three chaperones were on the trip, including head coach Andrew Montgomery, his wife and an assistant coach.
Sources close to the situation told the Times Free Press the chaperones weren't in the basement when the alleged assault happened.
Nayadley told the paper all proper procedures were followed for the trip, and as far as he knows, Montgomery did everything he could to handle the situation.
The team has played three games since the alleged incident.