bench-clearing brawl in state final

[Ref in PA]

Originally posted by Hawks Coach

You say one team was unfairly penalized because their star was thrown out while nobody else was. So why 5v4? You are now hurting the very team you say got unfairly penalized by handing out an even harsher penalty than the state gave out. You toss their star and every reserve, and make them play against the other team's starters for 30 minutes while down a man. That result is pretty predictable. At least the state's decision allowed it to be a reasonable contest.

Stopping the game was the only other reasonable option. All fighters get ejected, if you are following letter of the law, which you advocate. However, you seem to lean toward continuing the game, but under the most bizarre of circumstances that you would have a harder time justifying than the state's decision to continue with one ejection. And you force a team to play 4 on 5 - if you would do that, then simply end the game.

I advocate the 4 on 5 situation because that is what the rules state should happen. I must admit I was not there and did not see the game on TV. We are assuming that no players on the court participated and that all bench personnel from both teams participated. After all was said and done, it could have been a 3 on 3, 5 on 5 with a sub or 0 on 0. The only thing we do know is that the NFHS rules were not followed. I am only stating that when rules are disregarded, the integrity of the game is compromised in my eyes. It was a bad situation, with no good options for the refs to call. I just happen to think the option that was dictated to the refs was not a good option. If the final result of ejections ended with a 5 on 4, I would prefer continuing the game. Less than that, I think I would prefer ending the game.