Fight at high school game called 'ridiculous'

 

By MATTHEW HORN

Sports Writer

 

Until a few weeks ago, most sports fans had never seen nor even heard of anything like the melee that took place at the Palace of Auburn Hills between Indiana players and Detroit fans.

 

Now, it has hit close to home.

 

In a game on Friday in Tontagany, Otsego basketball players and Woodmore fans were involved in a fight in the stands.

 

An Otsego senior basketball player and two of his teammates climbed into the stands in the third quarter and began throwing punches, according to Woodmore junior Jordan Shaw, who was a spectator at the game.

 

Shaw said a Woodmore senior who was in the stands was punched in the head, then threw punches in defense.

 

"I heard a chair fall and looked down and saw an Otsego player hit one of our students," Shaw said. "(The player) came into the stands first. He's the one that started throwing punches. The Otsego bench cleared, and that's when it all broke loose.

 

"We were just trying to break it up. Three Otsego players were throwing punches. Some of the Otsego players were trying to break it up. Everybody was trying to throw people off, including parents. A couple of Otsego parents came over to help. The whole thing was ridiculous."

 

Two Otsego players were ejected from the game and didn't return. The third player went to the locker room briefly before returning and re-entering the game, according to Shaw, who said he didn't know what started the fight.

 

Monday morning, Wood County Sheriff's Deputy Ryan Emahiser, who is leading the investigation into the incident, said charges are still being explored. As far as he knows, no one was treated for injuries as a result of the fight.

 

Emahiser said deputies were already at the game when the fight broke out. They responded to break it up immediately.

 

"There were a lot of people involved, but I wouldn't say it was very violent," he said.

 

According to Suburban Lakes League commissioner Jim Yeager, any time a player is ejected, there's an automatic two-game suspension and game officials must file a report with the Ohio High School Athletic Association.

 

"Before the state makes its next move, it will look at the report and get back to each school," Yeager said. "Right now, we're waiting to see what the state has to say."

 

Woodmore coach Don Christie said none of his players was involved.

 

"I was pleased how our players responded," he said. "None reacted or got involved. You never know until that particular situation happens how your kids will react. I think they were shocked. I don't think they totally realized what was happening."

 

Until last month's brawl at a basketball game in Auburn Hills, Mich., most would have said an incident such as Friday's was unheard of.

 

"We'll wait to see what the state's resolution is," said Yeager, a Fremont resident. "Obviously, it's a situation, to my knowledge, we've never seen happen. I'd rather not comment from here until we hear from the state. I would guess they'd respond quickly."

 

Yeager said a conclusion should come on Tuesday as the officials' report was due at the OHSAA office this morning.

 

Yeager, who was not at the game, has talked to Otsego principal Dave Drewyor but not Woodmore principal Hobart Johnson.

 

"I've spoken with the Otsego principal and am confident they will resolve and handle things accordingly," Yeager said. "Everybody is upset, but the situation was handled as well as it could be by the offending parties, the Otsego administration, law enforcement in the vicinity.

 

"The game itself (which Woodmore lost 63-61) was a wonderful game. It's unfortunate some fans got a little out of hand and the Otsego player responded not in a way we want to see. The Otsego administration basically diffused the problem quickly. It was handled properly, and the penalty at this point will be decided by the state."

 

Contrary to Friday reports on local news stations, Shaw and classmate Cory Warner said they did not see any Woodmore fans throw anything or engage in the altercation, aside from the one student who was defending himself and others trying to separate participants.

 

"I was upset when I saw the reports on TV," Warner said. "That gave Woodmore a bad name. We didn't actually throw anything. I was in disbelief when I saw the chair and (the Otsego player) lunging through the stands. I couldn't believe it was happening. The incident at the Palace was in the back of my mind, and I was thinking, 'Not this again.'"

 

The Otsego player suffered a concussion earlier in the game and did not return.

 

"I feel sorry for (the player)," Christie said. "At the time he made the decision, he was injured, and I don't think he was in the right frame of mind. I'm afraid he's going to have to pay a large penalty."

 

Johnson, who had elementary principal Ted Keller attend Friday's game in his place, said he spent a much of Saturday interviewing Woodmore fans in attendance and his investigation was "becoming more clear." While it had not been arranged as of Saturday evening, Johnson said he intended to review game footage with Drewyor today.

 

"We're trying to find out exactly what happened," Johnson said. "That's my responsibility as principal. We'll continue to investigate to find the parties involved."

 

Christie said the incident turned a positive into a negative.

 

"It's a sad day in high school athletics when those kinds of things happen," he said. "It took away from a great game and put the focus on something negative. I'm disappointed in some of our fans and students who felt the need to taunt. Their focus should be on supporting our team."

This thread is worthless without pics/videos .

my rendering of what occured

 

 

And then they hugged and made up

 

 

 

 

 

I think this also happend there:

 

 

 

And finally:

 

 

the race card came out

Oh boy, this is not a good trend to be starting.

my rendering of what occured

 

 

And then they hugged and made up

 

 

 

 

 

I think this also happend there:

 

 

 

And finally:

 

 

the race card came out

631375[/snapback]

 

:lol :lol :notworthy :notworthy

 

I'm starting to think you need to seek professional help.....

:lol :lol :notworthy :notworthy

 

I'm starting to think you need to seek professional help.....

631377[/snapback]

 

 

Me need help?

 

 

 

 

For the record that is not me.

*skeets*

high school brawls are nothing new

*skeets*

631381[/snapback]

Will it ever end?