ALBANY — Democrats walked out of the New York State Senate in protest on Wednesday after Republicans blocked their effort to oust the majority leader, Dean G. Skelos, following his arrest on federal corruption charges.

It was a tempestuous scene: With Senator Skelos absent from the chamber, his colleagues squabbled over parliamentary procedures, clarified the proper terminology to describe the senator’s legal troubles and — in the view of some members — insulted a championship high school basketball team.

The quarreling concluded with dueling declarations. As a Democratic senator denounced the Republicans, a Senate official simultaneously read a resolution commending the basketball team — the boys’ varsity from Shenendehowa High School in Clifton Park, near Albany.

Democratic senators hoped that by seeking a vote to remove Mr. Skelos from his position, they would add to the pressure on his fellow Republican senators by at least requiring them to take a public position on the matter.