After getting beat by Buchanan High School in a playoff basketball game, Benton Harbor's assistant coach led his boys in taking unsportsmanlike conduct to a whole new level, attacking the referee with basketballs and water bottles.
Video out of Michigan:
From USA Today:
A Michigan assistant basketball coach has been fired after police say he and at least one of his players threw multiple objects at a referee after a game, knocking the referee to the ground.
The incident happened during a district playoff game between Benton Harbor and Buchanan High Schools. Buchanan won 39-36, and according to WNDU.com which obtained video of the incident, right after the game ended someone threw a basketball and several water bottles at a ref, knocking him down.
...
The Dowagiac Police identified a coach and at least one player from Benton Harbor as the people who threw the objects.
Benton Harbor was upset at the imbalance of fouls called on the court, which may or may not have been justified. Either way, you just do not do this to a referee.
What these kids and coach did was straight up assault.
Benton Harbor Area Schools Superintendent Dr. Kelvin Butts at least sees that as a fact. He said in a news release,
We have confirmed that an assistant basketball coach was involved in the post-game incident with an official. Immediate action has been taken, and that individual is no longer associated with or employed by the district in any capacity.
The police feel the same:
The Dowagiac Police Department says it has identified players and a coach from Benton Harbor … charges are being sought and they are still attempting to identify other individuals that engaged in the assault of the referee (including the individuals pictured below).
Welp, sign me up to never go to a basketball game in Benton Harbor, Michigan.
P.S. Now check out our latest video 👇
