Too early to judge HC coach

WORCESTER (MA)
Telegram & Gazette

[the lawsuit]

By Dianne Williamson
dwilliamson@telegram.com

Three years ago, Ashley Cooper told The Asbury Park Press that she was excited about her decision to play basketball at the College of the Holy Cross.

“After all the work, you end up where you’re supposed to be,” she said. “I believe I ended up where I belonged.”

As it turns out, Cooper didn’t belong at Holy Cross. After two seasons of unremarkable play, she abandoned an athletic scholarship and transferred to New York University, where she no longer competes in the sport she’s loved since childhood.

Then, Wednesday morning, she made headlines across the country by filing a lawsuit against veteran HC basketball coach Bill Gibbons, claiming he verbally and physically abused his players. The 20-year-old former high school star says Gibbons shook them by the shoulders, struck and berated them repeatedly during games…