Share and Follow

In a recent incident, a Michigan referee was subjected to being hit with garbage. The trash was thrown at him by a high school assistant basketball coach, a player, and upset fans following a playoff game.

The chaos unfolded right after Benton Harbor High School’s defeat to Buchanan with a score of 39-36 in the district semifinals in Dowagiac, approximately 130 miles outside Detroit on Feb. 26, according to a report by WNDU.

Video footage capturing the moment shows the unnamed referee being struck on the head by a basketball flung from the Benton Harbor bench area. The impact was strong enough to cause him to lose his balance and grasp for support at the scorer’s table.

The gray-haired official begins to stagger away for safety but is then pelted in the face with a water bottle, causing him to lose balance and fall onto the court.

He appears to roll around on the ground in pain as two police officers and others rush over to block any further projectiles from hitting him.

The ref was then pulled up off the court and was seen leaning on a cop and another man while they rushed him out of the gymnasium for his safety.

However, the Dowagiac Police Department told WNDU that the attack didn’t stop when he exited the gym.

As the ref was in the hallway trying to leave the building, he was hit with a notebook. It’s unclear if the official sustained any serious injuries during the assault.

Police say the unidentified assistant coach, a juvenile player, and two adult spectators were outraged by the official calling 22 fouls against Benton Harbor — compared to Buchanan’s 8 fouls.

Benton Harbor Area Schools Superintendent Dr. Kelvin Butts confirmed to the outlet “an assistant basketball coach was involved in the postgame incident with an official,” and he has since been fired.

Butts said that the district is “actively reviewing” the student athlete involved to see if they violated any “policies, procedures, and the Student Code of Conduct.”

“Benton Harbor Area Schools District and the MHSAA (Michigan High School Athletic Association) are working together to resolve community and staff concerns, with a focus on accountability for all parties,” the superintendent said.

Dowagiac police said they plan to charge the individuals involved in the attack on the ref and have brought the case to Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz to investigate, according to WSBT.

Law enforcement is also investigating another report of a woman assaulting another spectator in the stands during the chaos.

“Dowagiac Police would like to remind all students, student-athletes, coaches, and fans to display good sportsmanship, so tonight’s game can be enjoyed in a safe environment by all who attend,” the department wrote in a news release announcing the investigation.

The Post has reached out to the department for comment.

The assault on the Michigan ref happened days before violence broke out at another high school basketball playoff game in Pennsylvania.

At least two adult men were escorted out of the gym after a wild brawl during a playoff basketball game between Uniontown and Meadville on March 7.

“I’ve never seen anything this ugly break out in person,” an announcer for the game said in a video posted to the USH Talk YouTube channel. “This was really a shame.”

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
NYPD officer leaps into freezing river to save teenage girl from drowning

Heroic NYPD Officer Bravely Rescues Teen from Icy River Plunge

In an act of bravery, three officers from the NYPD saved a…
Devastating blaze rips through historic Long Island farm

Historic Long Island Farm Succumbs to Devastating Blaze: A Community’s Loss

A fierce blaze engulfed a historic family farm on Long Island, demolishing…
Graphic anti-ICE imagery at University of Wisconsin shows agent with bullet in head: 'Speak their language'

Controversial Anti-ICE Artwork at University of Wisconsin Depicts Graphic Imagery: Sparks Debate on Campus

Authorities at the University of Wisconsin-Madison announced on Thursday that they have…
Dems' dirty shutdown secret: Whispers are wild over top-level betrayal

Democrats’ Alleged Shutdown Strategy Sparks Controversy Amid Accusations of High-Level Betrayal

The decision by Senate Democrats, led by minority leader Chuck Schumer, to…
‘Bear attack’ story unravels as Montana man found guilty of grisly campsite murder: officials

Montana Man Convicted of Grisly Campsite Murder After Falsely Blaming Bear Attack, Officials Reveal

A Montana man with associations to white supremacist groups has been convicted…
Kings coach Doug Christie eviscerates players in profanity-laced rant after blowout loss

Coach Doug Christie’s Explosive Rant Reveals Frustration After Kings’ Crushing Defeat

In a fiery response to his team’s lackluster performance, Kings head coach…
Truth behind photo of Andrew Cuomo grabbing and kissing female lawyer

Revealed: The Story Behind Andrew Cuomo’s Viral Photo with Female Lawyer

The lawyer representing Andrew Cuomo in his sexual harassment defense has finally…
Americans report dramatic drop in importance of faith, poll finds

New Poll Reveals Significant Decline in Importance of Faith Among Americans

‘Pitt for Jesus’ event draws nearly 600 attendees Jake Overman, a tight…