A high school varsity basketball game in Texas came to an abrupt and early end Tuesday after the two teams came to blows.
The game between Celina and Gainesville ended in the third quarter after high emotions led to an on-court bench-clearing altercation.
Celina was leading 43-22 when the fight started was handed the win.
Gainesville head coach Jeffery Wolf told the Gainsville Daily Register that he only saw the end of the fight and it was hard to figure out exactly what happened.
“I really didn’t see what happened and I saw the end of it after players were going to the ground,” Wolf said. “Deep in my heart, our players weren’t trying to be dirty at all. They were just playing aggressive and playing hard.”
Wolf said he was disappointed the game had to be concluded, but understood why the decision was made.
“Of course, I never want a game to get called,” Wolf said. “Since I’ve been here, our goal is to instill in our kids to be professional and do the right thing. Every day, that’s our number one goal. Both teams had parties responsible. We want to represent Gainesville well, but in no way am I condoning what happened in any manner. I’m at a loss for words, really."
A spokeswoman for Celina ISD told The Dallas Morning News that Bill Elliott, the athletic director for Celina ISD, and Gainesville ISD athletic director James Polk contacted each other Wednesday morning and “the incident has been resolved internally.”
A spokeswoman for Gainesville ISD said that the District 9-4A Executive Committee will not meet regarding the incident and that any punishment for Gainesville’s players will come from the school handbook and student code of conduct.
Celina and Gainsville are scheduled to meet again on Feb. 7 at Celina.
