Police called as wild brawl at Pennsylvania high school basketball game ends in arrests and double-forfeit
By ALEX RASKIN
Published: 08:14 EDT, 11 March 2025 | Updated: 08:58 EDT, 11 March 2025
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A boys high school basketball game in rural Pennsylvania ended in a double-forfeit following a wild brawl in the crowd and several arrests on Friday evening.
Meadville police chief Michael Stefanucci tells DailyMail.com the department is continuing to review tape of the incident and expects to file charges in the case later this week. No suspects have been identified publicly, although viral video shows officers apprehending at least one man at the game.
The incident took place at Meadville Area Senior High School, which is about an hour's drive south of Erie, Pennsylvania.
Visiting from nearly three hours away along the West Virginia border, Uniontown Area High was trailing 63-55 with 3:12 to play in the fourth quarter when one of the school's players was whistled for a technical foul.
But when Meadville stepped to the line to attempt a free throw, a commotion began behind the school's bench, as seen in footage from UHS Talk.
'Uh-oh, you've got some fans coming over on the bench here,' one of the broadcasters said in the clip that has since gone viral.
The incident took place Friday at Meadville Area Senior High School, an hour south of Erie
Fans are seen trying to get away from combatants during Friday's brawl in Meadville
One man in Uniontown colors is seen being walked off the court by officers in Meadville
A chaotic scene quickly unfolded as both schools' supporters began throwing punches and pushing each other. One man dressed in Uniontown's white-and-burgundy color scheme was tackled and subsequently had his sweatpants pulled down as he pummeled another grownup.
The fracas extended onto both ends of the court, where players and fans alike got into the melee.
However, many of those who rushed the court were attempting to calm the violence as parents could be seen separating the combatants.
'Now, you've got an all-out fight. You've got an all-out fight in the stands right now. This is getting ugly. Not what you want to see at a high school basketball game,' the announcer said. 'You've still got people coming loose on the court. What is going on and what is wrong with these people.'
In response, the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association has ruled the playoff game ends in a double-forfeit, with neither Uniontown or Meadville advancing to the second round of the postseason. Furthermore, the PIAA has also ordered the schools to submit security plans to prevent similar incidents from occurring, while players and coaches are being required to complete a sportsmanship seminar.
The brawl ultimately poured out onto both ends of the court on Friday in Meadville
Players and parents can be seen holding back one Uniontown teammate on Friday
And any spectator known to have been involved in the brawl is banned from any school-sponsored events until June of 2026.
Uniontown has since issued a statement: 'We are disappointed that our season ended the way it did. We thank everyone that has shown their support. We look forward to continued success from our Boys Basketball Program.'
'My opinion? I think people just need to grow up, you know? It's a high school basketball game. What kind of example are we setting for our students and our children if we're going to go out and start a big fight?' Delwood Smith, a Meadville resident, told YourErie.com.
'I felt bad for the principal having to go through that and the students, I don't know what caused the fight or why it happened, but it was a shame,' added Carlos Caraballo, another Meadville resident.
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