Is the school board over reacting or simply doing what they feel is best?

[punky3175]

Georgia school voluntarily forfeits playoff spot rather than play team involved in football brawl

By Cameron Smith | Prep Rally - 23 hours ago 

A high school boys basketball team in Georgia has taken the stunning decision to forfeit its scheduled playoff game rather than face a potential violent reaction from its own student body and that of its competitor after a similar matchup in football season yielded ugly results.

As reported by the Augusta Chronicle and Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Warren County (Ga.) High officially forfeited its regional tournament playoff game against Hancock (Ga.) Central High, eliminating it from the regional championships and any chance of a state tournament berth; in Georgia, teams must reach the semifinals of regional tournaments to earn a state playoff berth.

While the decision is a stunning one, it is also well intentioned. Rather than trying to avoid a humiliating loss, Warren County is simply trying to avoid a repeat of the nasty brawl that followed the football game between the two schools in October. The melee drew national attention -- including coverage here at Prep Rally -- and forced Warren County head coach David Daniel to undergo major surgery after he was beaten by a Hancock Central helmet.

The bad blood from the postgame football brawl never truly passed, leading Warren County officials to take the rather unprecedented step of completely forfeiting all postseason play just to avoid facing off against a controversial foe.

"This is one of the most gut-wrenching decisions we have ever made," Warren County Schools Superintendent Carole Jean Carey, whose initial request to have Warren County switched into another regional bracket was denied by the Georgia High School Athletic Association, told the Chronicle.

Meanwhile, the Warren County students who are most affected by the voluntary forfeiture spoke up on Tuesday protesting the shocking decision to end their season before any postseason competition. Augusta CBS affiliate WRDW reported that the entire Warren County boys basketball team assembled outside their school and locked arms in a show of solidarity to try and force the school district to register their displeasure.

"Today, we out here basically just to get our voices heard," Warren County senior Ed'Ricus Williams told WRDW. "We feel like nothing bad would happen. We feel like it would be a good game like it always [is]."

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/highschool-prep-rally/georgia-school-voluntarily-forfeits-playoff-spot-rather-play-131118863.html 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Luv.My.Kidz]

They made the right decision. If it's likely that it will happen again, the kids don't need to be put in that situation.

[gypsy_rose]

I personaly feel whatever school started the brawl at the other game shuold be made to forfit ALL teams of all sports for at minimum the rest of the year. It should not be the school that defended themselves that should be punished for said brawl.

[katzmeow726]

I agree.

But the schools could do something along the lines of banning all spectators (at the very least, ban spectators from the team that initiated the fight) so these kids could have a game. 

Quoting gypsy_rose:

I personaly feel whatever school started the brawl at the other game shuold be made to forfit ALL teams of all sports for at minimum the rest of the year. It should not be the school that defended themselves that should be punished for said brawl.

[nysa76]

 I'm glad the school is being proactive, but it seems there would be a better way than to punish all of these kids, pretty much taking away all their hard work throughout the season.  If my child were on the team, I'd be furious and either try to move them to a different school in future years or not allow them to participate in any of that school's extra curriculars.

How sad for these kids who are being punished for a crime they didn't commit.

[TheMommaJessie]

I think they are doing what they think is right. Yes, it probably is upsetting to the students but it is better off just not playing the game then have a repeat of the fight from October. This way no one gets hurt.

[TheMommaJessie]

I like your way of thinking but if this school is anything like the one I attended the kids on the football team are also the whole basketball team. Banning the ones  that started the fight is a good idea but what do you do when the ones that initated the fight make up half of the team or more?

Quoting katzmeow726:

I agree.

But the schools could do something along the lines of banning all spectators (at the very least, ban spectators from the team that initiated the fight) so these kids could have a game. 

Quoting gypsy_rose:

I personaly feel whatever school started the brawl at the other game shuold be made to forfit ALL teams of all sports for at minimum the rest of the year. It should not be the school that defended themselves that should be punished for said brawl.

[gypsy_rose]

then the whole team does not play. It should be on the school that started the fight NOT the defenders.

Quoting TheMommaJessie:

I like your way of thinking but if this school is anything like the one I attended the kids on the football team are also the whole basketball team. Banning the ones  that started the fight is a good idea but what do you do when the ones that initated the fight make up half of the team or more?

Quoting katzmeow726:

I agree.

But the schools could do something along the lines of banning all spectators (at the very least, ban spectators from the team that initiated the fight) so these kids could have a game. 

Quoting gypsy_rose:

I personaly feel whatever school started the brawl at the other game shuold be made to forfit ALL teams of all sports for at minimum the rest of the year. It should not be the school that defended themselves that should be punished for said brawl.

 

[stacymomof2]

I say good.  There are consequences for bad behavior.  This kind of think should never, ever happen in a HS sport, (or any sport, really) and hopefully it will make an impression.  A game is not more important than safety.

[jc7981]

While I agree actions need to be in place to try to prevent such a situation i disagree with having the good team forfeit all of their hard work all year to "punish" the other team. That promotes the other team to continue the behavior they have shown. The boys that were fighting just learned that it is ok to fight because you win in the end. And the boys that didn't do anything wrong just got their entire season crushed because they were good boys. I doubt many try out for their team next year. What's the point of working hard all year if the administrators are going to take it away from you. 

They should have uped security. Called in local police officers and possibly had more security guards available. That is very unfair and is promoting the wrong type of behavior.

[yourspecialkid]

 Wow, this is a tough one.  I support consequences for actions.  I am not sure I support everyone paying the price though.  What about the kids that are looking at sports scholarships..this could be very bad for them.  I don't know why the ruling body for the teams can't decide which kids caused the initial problem and ban all of them from the entire event.