Brawl mars Valley playoff game

MONTGOMERY — A high school basketball playoff game between Carver-Montgomery and Valley was stopped Tuesday after a fight broke out among the players on the floor with 6:23 left in the fourth quarter.

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The fight occurred during the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s Central Regional semifinal game.

It started near Carver’s basket after some physical play between Carver’s Roquez Johnson and Valley’s Enrique Florence. Florence was called for a foul on Johnson just before the fight started.

It soon involved almost all of the players from both benches, as well as fans on both sides who flowed out of the stands and onto the court.

Police from Alabama State University and the City of Montgomery helped clear the floor of all the players and spectators, but more fights began to break out in the stands. Fans also threw food and drinks onto the court, including a tray of nachos that hit a police officer.

Kenneth Mullinax, director of university relations at Alabama State, said “10 to 12 juveniles have been detained by the Montgomery Police Department, and they are currently in the juvenile section of the Montgomery Police Department.”

A call to the Montgomery Police Department was referred back to Alabama State University relations.

“Young high school students got over-spirited in the moment of the game,” Mullinax said.

Mullinax said a couple of people were treated for minor injuries.

The police cleared the building, and AHSAA Associate Executive Director Joe Evans announced the score would stand as it was and the tournament would resume with its next game, the 2A girls matchup between R.C. Hatch and Goshen. The girls game started a little after 4 p.m., nearly 45 minutes after the gym was cleared.

Carver was winning 52-37 at the time of the fight.

“This game has been forfeited because Valley does not have any players eligible to participate,” Evans said after the stadium had been cleared.

Officials later said Carver was “tentatively” the winner, pending review of the tape of the fight.

Carver principal Gary Hall said the fans’ behavior was not indicative of the Carver community, and that this was the first time something like this had happened in his three years at Carver.

“Our students know better,” Hall said. “I feel sorry not only for the athletes, but for the students and the community. We preach coming to events and acting accordingly.

“I’ve never seen anything like that.”

Hall said he would review the tape of the fight and deal with any responsible Carver parties accordingly – both players and students who came as spectators.

“It can be anywhere from suspension to expulsion,” Hall said. “I can assure you something will be done about it. I don’t play when it comes to discipline.”

Valley boys coach Marshon Harper declined comment following the game.

“It’s a terrible situation,” Valley football coach and Athletic Director Roger McDonald said. “Nobody’s innocent in this.”

dmorrison@oanow.com | 737-2568