Uniontown-Meadville melee being reviewed by PIAA
Lori C. Padilla
MEADVILLE – What was supposed to be a PIAA boys basketball playoff game turned into an ugly scene more resembling a pro wrestling match Friday night at Meadville High School.
The Class 5A first-round game between Uniontown and Meadville was stopped by officials during the fourth quarter after fighting in the stands was followed by a melee on the court that involved players, coaches and fans.
Security personnel had to get involved in trying to diffuse the situation that was escalated by fans running onto the court.
One of the three game officials said the officiating crew decided to end the game with 3:12 remaining in the fourth quarter and Meadville leading 63-55 due to the “chaos” that occurred for the “safety” of all concerned, and that Meadville was declared the winner.
Whether the District 10 champion Bulldogs will advance to play in Tuesday’s second round is still up in the air. The PIAA indicated Meadville’s future will not be decided until Monday morning.
PIAA executive director Bob Lombardi released the following statement Saturday: “I have contacted the schools involved and have requested a report from them by Monday a.m. regarding last night’s incident. I have no further comment until I receive their reports.”
The tournament bracket on the PIAA website lists winners from all of Friday’s Class 5A games as set to play in Tuesday’s second round with the exception of the Uniontown-Meadville game, where no winner had been posted as of Sunday afternoon. The winner is supposed to play against District 3 champion Hershey at a site and time to be determined.
A statement from the Uniontown Area High School School District released by Athletic Director Harry Kaufman read, “As a standard practice the PIAA asked that both schools conduct an investigation into the incident that occurred Friday and submit their findings to the PIAA. We are currently working closely with those officials to conduct our inquiry and provide them with the information they need.”
Uniontown head coach Rob Kezmarsky said after the game he would only discuss game action and had no comment on the incident.
Uniontown, the fifth-place team out of the WPIAL (District 7), had whittled an 18-point deficit down to three in the fourth quarter before Meadville scored the next five points to put the Bulldogs ahead 63-55.
The Red Raiders’ Isaac Ellsworth was at the foul line preparing to take two free throws when an incident between players from both teams and a few fans behind the Meadville bench was broken up by the officiating crew. The fight in the stands began soon after.