Sierra Vista High School basketball coach Ken Gibson watches his team play Western High School on Thursday. Sources say that at least six members of the team have been accused of sexually assaulting a fellow team member and have been suspended. Photo by Isaac Brekken/Review-Journal Click image for enlargement.

At least six Sierra Vista High School basketball players face expulsion following allegations of criminal sexual misconduct, with sources close to the investigation questioning whether a high school administrator responded appropriately once the incident was reported.

The incident, which took place about 5:45 p.m. on Feb. 3 in the school's gymnasium, involved members of Sierra Vista's boys varsity basketball team. Six or more players jumped a newcomer to the squad and took him to the floor. One or more of the attackers inserted fingers into the victim's rectum, sources said.

Sexual assault detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department are investigating the case, which, according to a source close to the investigation, might result in felony charges against those involved in the attack.

The victim was taken to University Medical Center, where he was treated and released.

The players involved in the incident were suspended. Sierra Vista forfeited a game to Bonanza High School on Saturday because the Lions didn't have enough players to take the court.

Sierra Vista returned to the court on Tuesday with seven players, six of whom had been called up from the junior varsity squad. The Lions lost 76-65 to Bishop Gorman on Tuesday, and the same seven players played in a 82-64 loss to Western on Thursday.

Sources familiar with the incident also are raising questions about the conduct of a Sierra Vista administrator. Educators are required by law to report abuse involving minors. In this incident, sources said that the victim was reluctant to step forward. His mother first called police.

"This administrator tried to dissuade the (victim's) mother from reporting it," one source said. "He also asked Metro (police) to postpone the investigation until after the game."

Police could not be reached to comment on the status of the case Thursday. All calls to Sierra Vista were referred to the Clark County School District's central information office.

The Sierra Vista administrator in question was working Thursday but could not be reached for comment.

"The law requires that you report an allegation of child abuse within 24 hours," said Bill Hoffman, legal counsel for the district.

"But that's not fast enough in some instances."

Hoffman said he could not comment on the specifics of the Sierra Vista administrator's actions. In general, though "if a law enforcement agency can be involved, they report it," Hoffman said.

Superintendent Walt Rulffes said Thursday that immediate action always should be taken in instances in which student safety is jeopardized. He said he had received no information regarding questions about the conduct of the responding Sierra Vista administrator in the incident.

"Any employee accused of that would be entitled to due process, at which point it becomes a personnel matter," Rulffes said."

A Sierra Vista student said school officials have not sent out letters to parents about the incident or addressed it with students. Rumors circulated on campus, one student said, but it's not known widely what actually happened.

"Our school is really good, but I don't think people are paying attention to that," said the student, who didn't want to be named.

"News cameras are at the school at 11 p.m. when there aren't any students there. I don't get it."

School Board Member Susan Brager-Wellman, who represents the Southwest Region in which Sierra Vista is located, said that if the events occurred as described, what happened was "horrific."

"It's nothing that this board or this district will tolerate," Brager-Wellman said.

"Coaches and staffing should monitor things more closely to make sure nothing like this ever happens."

Review-Journal writers Damon Seiters and Antonio Planas contributed to this report.