High school basketball fight: Cesar Chavez to forfeit next game, suspend players involved

Richard Obert | The Republic | azcentral.com

Show Caption Hide Caption Fight breaks out after Skyline-Cesar Chavez basketball game A postgame fight broke out in the handshake line and then into the stands after Skyline and Cesar Chavez played on Saturday night.

Arizona Interscholastic Association Executive Director David Hines said Monday, "We need to make a statement," following Saturday's postgame basketball fight between Laveen Cesar Chavez and Mesa Skyline.

After Skyline beat Cesar Chavez, 63-57, for the championship of the Phoenix Union High School District Coyote Classic boys' basketball tournament, a fight erupted in the handshake line at Phoenix Central High School, the tournament host.

In a video obtained by The Arizona Republic, a punch was thrown by a Cesar Chavez player at a Skyline player. Fighting then spilled over behind the scorer's table into the stands and onto the floor with players and spectators involved.

Additional police had to be called onto the scene. Phoenix police told The Republic no arrests were made.

The district on Monday sent out a release announcing initial consequences, while continuing to investigate Saturday's fight: According to the release:

— Cesar Chavez will forfeit its next scheduled game, this Friday against Tolleson. It has not been determined when the team will play again, according to the release.

— Any player directly involved in the altercation will receive a minimum three-game suspension.

— While video evidence shows that both teams engaged equally, the statement reads, the Cesar Chavez basketball team will issue a formal apology to Skyline High School, as well as host site Phoenix Central.

— The school must submit a proposal to campus administration for an ongoing restorative service project.

"Phoenix Union believes strongly that when harm is done to others, the harm must be restored," the district statement said. "Other consequences will be assigned as the investigation yields new information."

Skyline Principal Tom Brennan sent a statement to The Republic on Tuesday, saying that the Mesa Public Schools is reviewing the incident.

"Students involved will receive appropriate consequences," Brennan said in an email. "This unfortunate incident is not representative of the athletic culture that exists in Mesa Public Schools. District and school staff will work together to discuss ways to prevent disruptions like this in the future and ensure the safety of all athletes and visitors in attendance at sporting events."

Skyline Athletic Director Greg Schultz confirmed in a text that it had forfeited its home game Tuesday night against Tolleson.

Hines said that a game management violation occurred in the AIA bylaw 2.6.2.3, regarding conduct of participants.

The bylaw states, "the responsibility for the conduct of the coaches, players and spectators at any athletic or nonathletic contest shall lie with the administrators of the schools whose teams are participating in the contest. This responsibility includes ensuring conduct by the coaches, players and spectators which adheres at all times to the principles and spirit of good sportsmanship."

"The schools are responsible for their kids, teams and parents," Hines said. "Obviously, all heck broke loose. People came out of the stands. They’ll deal with those people. They’ll send a report to me. It will be on the (AIA Executive) board agenda next Monday."

MORE: Postgame fighting mars Skyline's win over No. 1 Cesar Chavez in final of PUHSD basketball tournament

Hines said another incident could lead to both schools being placed on probation.

"It was ugly," Hines said. "The video is not good. Parents have to understand they cannot get involved. I understand they want to protect their kids. The schools will take appropriate consequences.

"What makes it difficult is our officials are off the court, it's the end of the game. It still falls under some of our bylaws. Our schools can follow up and make appropriate adjustments to that. That's what we expect them to do."

Hines praised Central Athletic Director Evana Santee, whom he said was injured while jumping into the middle of the fighting in an attempt to diffuse it.

"She did a phenomenal job," Hines said. "She was outstanding."

A conference call Monday morning with the Phoenix Union High School District and Mesa Public Schools athletic directors — Zach Munoz and Steve Hogen — were conducted Monday morning, Hines said.

Each school will have to determine whether or not players are suspended and for how long. Hines said he expects there will be suspensions.

From video, Hines, said: "We identified some kids."

"They will identify any other kids that we did not," Hines said. "They’re taking this very seriously. They will deal with the kids from their end. They know there is no tolerance for this. We need to make a statement, understand that this is high school athletics. This behavior is unacceptable."

During an earlier AIA's Executive Board meeting this school year, there was discussion about going beyond the one-game suspensions for ejections.

The AIA wants to curtail fighting. This incident only adds fuel to the AIA's proposal.

"It's just another reason," Hines said. "To tell the truth, the two things most concerning are the punching and fighting. Those are things we’re going to really look at, step it up. We’ve been around a long time. There have been hard-fought games that don’t have a result in that type of behavior. You can be intense, be competitive, but you respect your opponent."

To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on Twitter @azc_obert.

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