Cherokee High School is home to the defending girls state champions in 1A basketball. They are expected to vie for that title again.

In the conference tournament, they played Hayesville High School and won handily. But instead of being able to celebrate that feat, they endured a hostile scene.

The letter that follows from the Principal Chief Michell Hicks of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians relays the treatment his student-athletes received.

One particular moment was caught when the Lady Braves went to receive their championship trophy.

They are sitting directly behind the winning team.

I hope they win the state championship, but more than that, I hope they receive a public apology that is honest and sincere followed by an investigation that leads to accountability.