Items Thrown At Michigan Referee At High School Basketball Game

The high school basketball seasons for both boys and girls in the state of Michigan have reached the playoff stage and its win or go home. Coaches, players, and fans are giving their all hoping to see their team hoist a state championship trophy in March. As always, these games are electric and emotional.

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Watching two teams pour their heart and soul out on the floor is fun but you can see how much they care through the blood, sweat, and tears. There are so many factors that go into winning and losing any game. Although that may be the case, sometimes it's difficult to focus on all of the factors instead of just one.

That's what happened when things turned south at district semifinal basketball game in Southwest Michigan. Benton Harbor and Buchanan would be battling on the floor at the host Dowagiac High School and the game was one of the most exciting in the state but was quickly overshadowed by the actions of a few.

There were complaints that the officiating crew didn't do their best to call the game fairly on both sides. Some people in support of Benton Harbor believed that this was a part of the reason they didn't win the game and wanted to take matters into their own hands. This would lead to the police escorting an official to the locker room and his vehicle after the game.

Multiple people from the Benton Harbor seating section began to yell and taunt the referee at the end of the game. Eventually several items including a basketball began flying through the air toward the referee. He was struck by multiple items and even fell to the floor.

Police have since identified multiple people involved in the incident and have put out photos of others that they need help identifying. They are still conducting an investigation and are receiving help from all schools involved and the MHSAA.

Below is a video of the incident: