Excel High School basketball player accused of punching referee during game in Cohasset
COHASSET – A basketball referee was allegedly assaulted by a player from Excel High School during a game in Cohasset Wednesday night.
The game between Cohasset High and Excel High School in South Boston was immediately canceled after the incident.
"Cohasset Public Schools does not condone violence of any type, and we advocate for good sportsmanship during all games and contests," Cohasset Public Schools superintendent Patrick Sullivan said in a statement.
Cohasset Police said the 17-year-old player allegedly punched a referee in the face during the game. There was no further altercation, and no Cohasset players were involved in the incident.
The referee did not require medical attention.
"There is no place for violence of any kind in a school and we are thankful that the victim in this incident was not seriously injured," Cohasset Police Chief William Quigley said.
Cohasset Police said the student will face assault and battery charges.
On Thursday, the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association released a statement on the incident.
There is no place for violence or physical anger in sports. Our schools work to develop young athletes within the structure of interscholastic competition. Our students play the game for the love of sport. Behaviors that run contrary to this have no place on our athletic fields, courts, or hockey rinks.
Our officials work to create an environment for competition that is fair and unbiased. Their professional efforts are to the best of their ability and exercised with experience and understanding of the rules of the game. Officials must be treated with respect at all
times. The ups and downs of competition need to be appreciated for what they are, an opportunity to learn life lessons through sport.
We have been in contact with both schools and both officials offering our assistance.
We will continue to support all entities, understanding that athletics is a privilege and with that comes the responsibility for right action.
Boston Public Schools said the student could also face discipline from the district.