OAKDALE, Tenn. — Two teams were fined after the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association said a fight broke out towards the end of a basketball game on Dec. 15.
Greenback High School and Oakdale were playing against each other when a fight broke out in the stands towards the end of the fourth quarter, according to letters from the TSSAA. They said the fight started between two spectators and escalated to include several other spectators and players.
It said players rushed across the court as the fight continued.
"Players from both schools entered the stands and began fighting with the spectators," the letters said.
TSSAA officials need the game as the fight escalated, according to the letter. They also said there was no security presence in the court area and there was "unlikely to be anytime soon." They also said before leaving, an object seemed to be thrown at officials from the home team seating area, behind the benches.
The game ended early with a final score of 70-59, with Oakwood winning.
"At the time the crew left the floor, there were still altercations occurring on and off the court," the letters said.
Greenback High School was fined $250 for two players who left the bench, and another $250 for spectators who went onto the court during the fight. The letters also said Greenback High School administrators suspended a fan involved in the fight for two games, per Loudon County policy. The fan will also need to reimburse the school $250.
Greenback High School was also suspended for two games, and so was Oakdale.
Oakdale was also fined $250 for a player who left the bench, and for spectators who went onto the court. The letter also said while no fans were suspended, the high school's administration plans to meet with a fan involved in the fight.
Both teams were also placed on restrictive probation for the rest of the 2023-2024 school year, and will not be able to take part in postseason basketball tournaments.