West Babylon-Bellport boys basketball game ends after bench-clearing altercation
West Babylon High School, where a bench-clearing altercation during a basketball game between Bellport and host West Babylon Thursday led to a forfeit by both teams. Credit: Howard Simmons
A Suffolk County high school boys varsity basketball game was halted Thursday night after a bench-clearing altercation between players, according to Section XI executive director Tom Combs.
The game between Bellport and host West Babylon was stopped by officials with 3:06 remaining in the first quarter after players began pushing and shoving. The incident escalated when players from both benches and spectators ran onto the court, Combs said. Security separated the teams, and referees decided not to resume the game.
“We watched the video of the incident and it shows a total lack of discipline and no respect for the game," Combs said. "A push turned into a fight, the benches cleared and spectators got involved. West Babylon security did a great job getting everything under control quickly.”
There were no reported injuries or arrests, Combs said.
WHAT NEWSDAY FOUND
- During Thursday night's varsity boys basketball game between Bellport and host West Babylon, players began pushing and shoving each other late in the first quarter. The incident escalated when players on the bench and spectators in the crowd ran onto the court.
- Security separated both teams and quelled the fracas, but referees decided that the game would not resume. There were no reported injuries or arrests.
- Both teams were given forfeit losses. All the players involved received two-game suspensions, ending the season for both teams. Bellport had a chance to make the playoffs if it won one of its final two games.
“It was unfortunate, there was some pushing and shoving, just looked like a normal basketball play with some physicality,” West Babylon interim Director of Athletics Bob Panariello said. “But when all the players left the bench area it escalated the situation to where it was unsafe."
Both teams received forfeit losses and all the players involved will receive two-game suspensions, according to Combs. The suspended players must sit out the next two varsity games they play, regardless of sport.
The incident cost Bellport (10-10) a chance to make the playoffs. The Clippers needed to win one of their final two games to qualify. With no available varsity players after the suspensions, Bellport was forced to forfeit its season finale on Friday afternoon against Hills East.
Bellport High School is part of the South Country school district. South Country Superintendent Antonio Santana released a statement that read, in part, "We take situations of this nature very seriously. The conduct displayed does not reflect the values, expectations, or standards we hold for our students, our Clipper athletic programs, or our school community."
It was the final game of the regular season for West Babylon, which finished with a 4-15 record and failed to reach the postseason.
Newsday's Michael Sicoli contributed to this story.
Gregg Sarra is Newsday's high school sports editor and has been on the beat since the mid-1980s.
