Video footage shows fight at Buchtel-East game. Police investigating, no arrests made

NORTH RIDGEVILLE — The North Ridgeville Division II boys basketball district semifinal between second-seeded Buchtel and 12th-seeded East was suspended Wednesday when a fight between the two squads erupted.

Fans poured onto the floor and it took a while before police restored order.

The Griffins were ahead 53-32 with 2.5 seconds left in the third quarter and both teams were escorted to their respective locker rooms after referees halted the action.

The Northeast District Athletic Board decided Thursday that Buchtel will advance to the Division II district final on Saturday. That game also will take place in North Ridgeville.

Players who were ejected from Wednesday night's game will be suspended and unable to compete in the district final, according to the a statement from the district athletic board. The remainder of the Buchtel players and coaches will be allowed participate in Saturday’s game.

"The NEDAB is disappointed in the actions of some of the members of the Akron East and Akron Buchtel boys basketball programs," the board said in a statement. "The actions of these individuals have no place in high school athletics. We also would like to compliment and thank the tournament staff, the staff of North Ridgeville Schools and the police department of North Ridgeville for their ability to quickly de-escalate the situation to prevent any further incidents arising."

How did the fight start?

As the third quarter was coming to a close, East was set to inbound the ball. When both teams set up to begin play, words were exchanged and punches were thrown.

It started slow at first, but the on-court brawl escalated, and the court filled with players, fans and police officers. It took more than a few minutes until the incident de-escalated, with players having to be held back on multiple occasions.

The referees met at the scorer’s table and suspended the game.

How order was restored after the fight

As coaches talked to their respective teams in the locker rooms, police officers stationed themselves outside the doors to make sure order was maintained. The locker rooms share the same hallway.

When East personnel left their locker room, they exited through the north exit of the North Ridgeville Academic Center. Buchtel personnel left the building through the south exit. Extra police officers were called in and stood outside the building to provide additional security.

What Akron school officials said about the fight

Akron Public Schools Superintendent Christine Fowler Mack released a statement Thursday morning condemning the incident.

"This is without question an unfortunate incident that is not representative of the expectations and school culture that exists throughout the Akron Public Schools," Fowler Mack said. "I want to make it clear that this type of conduct is not tolerated.

"We greatly appreciate the response of our coaches and players, as well as security officers and our administrators, for de-escalating the situation."

What North Ridgeville police said about the fight

North Ridgeville police are reviewing videos of the game to decide if anyone should be charged and arrested.

North Ridgeville Police Capt. Kevin Jones said no one had been cited, charged or arrested because of the fight as of late Thursday morning.

He said he was unaware of anyone being severely injured despite seeing "several haymakers thrown there on the court" on game videos that he reviewed.

"I'm not sure how many connected," he said.

The department had four police officers working a special detail at the game, Jones said. Normally, two officers work basketball games but North Ridgeville school officials requested two extra officers for Wednesday's game, he said. The officers working the game were to meet and discuss the incident with their supervisor at the start of their regular Thursday shifts, Jones said.

The police department was not aware of any previous history between the two Akron schools, he said.

"Is there a possibility of reports and arrests coming later? Yes, there is," Jones said.

"I will say, in the videos I did get to watch so far, and I haven't seen all of them yet, I do commend the parents, the adults," Jones said. "[The adults] that were trying to keep order and separate kids did a wonderful job.

"This was quite an unfortunate situation at an athletic event when something like that breaks out," he said. "Unfortunately in this day and age, you see it more and more often. Thankfully, the people coming out of the stands were extremely helpful in addressing the situation and trying to keep the peace."

What Buchtel, East coaches said after the game

The commotion tainted what looked like another win by the Griffins, who beat the Dragons twice in the regular season and once in the City Series championship.

Buchtel will face 11th-seeded Shaw or third-seeded Gilmour Academy, who played Thursday evening in the other semifinal.

The district final is currently scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday.

“It’s very unfortunate for both teams,” Griffins coach Rayshon Dent said. “We’re both out here trying to enjoy what the state has offered us as far as the tournament is concerned. I think it was a clean game until whatever happened. It’s just disappointing on both ends.

“I spoke with my kids and they’re very disappointed. I’m speechless. They hate that it happened. Now, they realize how valuable it is.”

East coach Chad Hazard echoed that statement after talking to his players in the locker room following the incident.

“It’s a shame that we’re in an era where that can possibly happen,” he said. “It really is. We have to be better than that. … It boils over. It’s unfortunate. Benches were clearing before I knew what was going on.

“It would have been tough to see that no matter what time of season. It’s just sad. It’s disrespectful to the game of basketball. You’re playing in a tournament where it’s win or go home and that’s how you end it. It’s a shame. It really is.”

Beacon Journal staff writer Jim Mackinnon contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron Buchtel, East basketball game suspended; video shows fight