The Arkansas Activities Association has suspended five members of Barton’s high school boys basketball team from playing in the Class 2A state championship game after taking part in a brawl during a semifinal game Saturday against England in Poyen.
The association announced in its release Tuesday morning on social media the five Barton players have been ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct. According to AAA regulations, the suspended players cannot compete when Barton plays Mount Vernon-Enola on Thursday in state championship game at Bank OZK Arena in Hot Springs.
Seven members of England’s basketball team also have been ejected, according to the release. Its season ended with Saturday’s semifinal loss.
“What happened at the end of the contest between Barton and England was unacceptable and does not reflect the values of education-based athletics,” AAA Executive Director Lance Taylor said in the news release. “We have gone through every second of the incident, from multiple angles, to identify any student-athlete, school personnel, and community members involved in the altercation. Any team member who engaged in an unsportsmanlike act, or instigated an unsportsmanlike act, has been ejected.”
Multiple videos from the game were posted on social media.
One posted on YouTube by Central Sports Network shows the fight began in the last second with Barton leading 52-51 when the referee called a foul and the crowd rushed the court thinking the game was over.
An England player is seen punching a celebrating Barton player in the face before a larger crowd rushes in around them and the video cuts away.
The Grant County sheriff’s office said in a news release Monday that it will pursue criminal charges against those involved in a brawl. The release didn’t name any suspects in the fight, and it was unclear if anyone had been charged. A sheriff’s office employee declined to release any additional information Monday, citing the ongoing investigation.
Grant County deputies, Sheridan police officers, Arkansas State Police troopers and school officials worked to break up the fight.
