And it ended in a brutal brawl!
According to reports, a game between Camden and Camden Eastside in the final of the Camden County Tournament had to be halted over a brawl. According to the details of the report via the New York Post;
Camden, the top seed, was leading 30-17 with 4:24 remaining in the second quarter when the game was stopped. Fans, players and coaches flooded the court, but Camden County police were able to calm down the situation within minutes.
Katrina McCombs, Superintendent of the Camden City School District and Camden coach Maalik Waayns declined to comment on the brawl.
But the district did release a statement obtained by NJ. Advance Media.
“We are disappointed to learn that this evening’s Camden County Championship basketball game between Camden High School and Eastside High School has been suspended following an on-the-court altercation during the game,” the statement read. “Our top priority is the safety and well-being of our students and fans. Thankfully, no one was seriously injured.
“This incident is not an indication of who we are. … And, we expect our student-athletes to compete with sportsmanship. The District will take all the necessary steps for appropriate disciplinary action.”
A video captured from Cherry Hill’s live stream and obtained by NJ Advance Media clearly shows the melee was initiated when a Camden player punched a Camden Eastside player. One of the game officials saw the play and raised his arm to call a foul. At that point, fans, players and coaches flooded the court.
The video suggests Camden’s bench emptied on to the court, but it’s not clear if Camden Eastside players reacted in a similar fashion.
According to the Courier Post’s account of the incident, Eastside’s Titus Bacon went to set a screen and was punched by the Camden Panthers’ Cornelius Robinson. The refs whistled a foul as Bacon responded, but some players on Camden, who were on a 12-0 run, were upset and chased after the Tigers, which led to players, coaches and spectators coming onto the court.
“The video shows our team didn’t leave the bench,” Camden Eastside athletic director Mark Phillips said. “Everything else, we’ll see how it turns out.”
Flip to the next page to watch the brawl that halted the final game between Camden and Camden Eastside…