CASS COUNTY, MI — Three people are facing charges after an alleged assault of a referee at a high school basketball playoff game, according to law enforcement officials.
The incident happened at the end of a district semifinal game between Benton Harbor and Buchanan boys basketball teams on Wednesday, Feb. 26, at Dowagiac Union High School.
The referee was hit by multiple thrown objects including a basketball and bottles, officials said previously.
The Cass County Prosecutor’s Office authorized charges against a 28-year-old man and a 43-year-old. They face charges including 93-day misdemeanor assault and battery and 90-day misdemeanor disturbing the peace.
Arraignment will be held at a future date.
A juvenile has also been charged with one misdemeanor count of assault and battery and one misdemeanor count of disturbing the peace.
Benton Harbor had just been eliminated from the playoffs in a 39-36 game when the items were thrown at the referee, school officials said previously.
Police identified a Benton Harbor High School basketball coach and multiple Benton Harbor players they believe threw objects that hit the MHSAA referee, the police department said at the time.
School officials later confirmed an assistant coach was involved in the incident. The coach was then fired, Benton Harbor school officials said.
