East Hamilton High School and one of its boys’ basketball players have been cleared of any wrongdoing following an incident in the stands two weeks ago.
During the fourth quarter of a home game against Hixson, an altercation involving fans from both teams broke out in the stands. Although there were no arrests and no punches thrown, eight Hixson players were ejected from the game for running into the stands.
They later were dismissed from the team by Hixson administrators. Hixson was put on two years probation and fined $1,250 for the players leaving the bench area.
An East Hamilton player was already seated in the stands, behind the bench area, receiving treatment for an injury. When the altercation broke out, that player turned to stand up and watch what was happening but did not approach the scene. That player was ejected and suspended for two additional games initially by East Hamilton administrators, but TSSAA executive director Bernard Childress increased the punishment late last week to include a $1,000 fine for the school and two years probation, as well as suspending the player for the rest of the season.
But late Monday evening, after returning from an out-of-town meeting, Childress read an appeal from East Hamilton athletic director Brad Jackson that included sworn statements from the attending trainer and officials that the Hurricanes player did not step toward the altercation.