DOWAGIAC, Mich. (WNDU) – The Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) says it is looking into an incident after a boys basketball playoff game in Dowagiac where a referee was hit by multiple thrown objects.
This happened Wednesday night at the district semifinal playoff game between Benton Harbor and Buchanan.
Right after Buchanan won the game 39-36, video sent to WNDU 16 News Now shows someone throwing a basketball at one of the referee’s heads. Seconds later, that same referee was hit with what appears to be cups or bottles of water.
The video shows the referee falling, then being helped up by police officers who would eventually escort him out.
According to our reporting partners at The Herald-Palladium, Benton Harbor was called for 22 fouls in the game while Buchanan was only called for eight.
Benton Harbor boys basketball coach Corey Sterling told The Herald-Palladium after the game that it was the worst officiating crew he’s had in 20 years of coaching at Benton Harbor.
“I usually don’t blame the refs, but this was the worst referee crew I’ve had in my total of 20 years of coaching here,” Sterling said.
Both Benton Harbor Area Schools and Buchanan Community Schools have sent out letters regarding the incident. Both districts defended their student-athletes, with Benton Harbor officials placing the blame on fans in the crowd.
“It is important to note that most of the outrage and disorder came from the fans and audience, not our student-athletes,” said Benton Harbor Area Schools superintendent Dr. Kelvin Butts in a letter to families. “Our student-athletes demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship and composure throughout this challenging situation. We truly appreciate their resilience and commend them for representing Benton Harbor with class.”
Buchanan Community Schools Superintendent Patricia Robinson had a similar statement, which read in part, “We want to emphasize that our student-athletes displayed positive sportsmanship and resilience throughout the game and after. We are extremely proud of how our students conducted themselves during this challenging situation.”
An MHSAA spokesperson tells WNDU 16 News Now game officials file a report on what happened anytime there’s a situation like this. Officials are still waiting on the official’s report to come in and are investigating.
