Joe Siess is a GA reporter for the ÅÝֱܽ²¥. Joe previously reported for the Klamath Falls Herald and News and the Malheur Enterprise. He was born and raised in the Kansas City area, and holds a master's in journalism from the University of Missouri.
Police and spectators jumped in to end a fight that erupted during a post-game celebration after the Redmond High boys basketball team beat cross-town rival Ridgeview High on Monday.
Redmond School District officials said no one was injured or arrested after the fight, which took place after Redmond beat Ridgeview 62-59 at the loser’s gym.
After the final whistle, Redmond High fans and players gathered at the center of the basketball court to sing their fight song, traditionally done after a victory. Students supporting the Ridgeview team took offense to their rival’s display of team pride and the fight broke out, according to Holly Brown, spokesperson for the Redmond School District.
In a video of the incident, the Redmond victory chant that fills the gym quickly gives way to someone yelling “no, no, no.†Then, Redmond player No. 25 and a non-player in a purple shirt go at it, with the Redmond player landing punches until police and adults swarm the court.
Brown said both Ridgeview and Redmond High students were involved in the fight, but she said it was difficult to determine how it started.
“There were a ton of people on the court, because they got wrapped into it … a cheerleader and the team and fans coming out to the court and adults on the court as well,†Brown said. “I think that it was only a few students that were involved physically in any way.â€
Brown said that district officials have spoken with all students who were involved and “set up a new protocol for postgame behavior.†Brown said students will now be required to remain in the stands until both teams are off the court.
“It was really a learning experience for everyone because until something like that happened, we didn’t really anticipate that happening,†Brown said.
Brown said she is not aware of any physical altercations between Redmond and Ridgeview teams in the past. She said both teams had recently been recognized for their sportsmanship by the Oregon School Activities Association.
Joe Siess is a GA reporter for the ÅÝֱܽ²¥. Joe previously reported for the Klamath Falls Herald and News and the Malheur Enterprise. He was born and raised in the Kansas City area, and holds a master's in journalism from the University of Missouri.
Only a matter of time before someone, maybe a player, gets seriously hurt by folks swarming onto the court. School administrators could put a stop to it if they wanted to do so. They will learn the hard way, maybe when they get sued.
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,
racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another
person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism
that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on
each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness
accounts, the history behind an article.
(1) comment
Only a matter of time before someone, maybe a player, gets seriously hurt by folks swarming onto the court. School administrators could put a stop to it if they wanted to do so. They will learn the hard way, maybe when they get sued.
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.