HS Basketball Players and Fans Enter Fray in Game-Ending Brawl

Update: Tuesday, February 10

About that rematch I mentioned...well, it now appears certain that the Griffith and Hammond varsity boys basketball teams will not be playing anyone anytime soon.

After convening Tuesday in Indianapolis, the Indiana High School Athletic Association levied heavy punishments on both programs involved in Saturday's brawl.

The Indianapolis Star's Kyle Neddenriep brings news of the sanctions, which include fines, forfeitures and an immediate end to each team's season.

Here's the rundown of punishments detailed in Neddenriep's report:

"

[Hammond and Griffith] have been suspended from the state tournament, and Hammond and Griffith shall not receive any revenue from the sectional. Sectional 17, hosted by Hammond Gavit, will be redesigned as a five-team bracket.

All remaining regular season games at all levels are canceled.

For away games, both schools must pay a $500 forfeiture fee to each hosting school left on the schedule. Hammond had two road games remaining (Andrean, Gary Bowman), Griffith three (Gary Roosevelt, Kankakee Valley, Portage).

The coaches from both schools must complete a Teaching and Modeling Behavior course, while players from both teams must complete sportsmanship courses.

Both schools' boys teams are on probation for the entire 2015-16 school year.

[Saturday's game] is a double forfeit. Hammond is 12-5, but will forfeit its four remaining games. Griffith is 13-4 and had six games remaining. Griffith is ranked No. 10 in Class 3A.

"

When the league is willing to restructure the postseason to teach you a lesson, you messed up.

---End of Update---

Players and fans alike played a part in a massive brawl that ended an Indiana high school basketball game over the weekend.

The Times of Northwest Indiana's Steve Hanlon (h/t Deadspin’s Tom Ley) brings us the story of the fight, which took place in the first quarter of Saturday night’s game between the Griffith Panthers and the Hammond Wildcats.

The gym-clearing brawl began when Griffith’s Anthony Murphy was shoved by Hammond’s Tim Echoles while attempting a dunk in transition. Murphy had received an outlet pass and elevated for a flush when Echoles blasted into his back and sent him flying into the padded wall behind the basket.

It was an incredibly dangerous foul on Echoles’ part, and the ensuing mayhem effectively ended the game, with benches and portions of the stands emptying onto the floor.

Fans ran slapdash across the court, tangling with players and coaches alike as one poor P.A. announcer attempted to quell the hostilities.

“Please stay in your seats! All fans please return to your seats!” the announcer yelled.

The damage was done, unfortunately, and the game was suspended pending a rescheduling. Hanlon reports that Echole was formally ejected from the contest, and local authorities are reviewing game tape to discern if any adult fans threw hands during the fight.

The juiciest tidbit in all of this is the potential for a rematch.

Hanlon reports that the two teams could meet again regardless of an agreed rescheduling. Both schools are classified in the Class 3A Hammond Sectional, meaning they could potentially collide in postseason play if the stars align properly.

We’ll keep a lookout for Griffith-Hammond II.

Dan is on Twitter, massaging his neck and shuddering.