SPALDING COUNTY, Ga. — Two Georgia high school girls basketball teams have been disqualified from the state playoffs after a massive brawl took place on the court during the game Tuesday night.
In a statement sent to 11Alive by Griffin-Spalding Schools, the district said it was aware of the incident that took place between the girls basketball teams of Spalding High School and Wayne County High School in Wayne County.
The school system said they are investigating the fight and will address it using their policies and procedures, Georgia High School Association (GHSA) rules and the school's student code of conduct.
GHSA issued a statement calling the fight a "bench-clearing brawl" that caused the game to be stopped in the third quarter. The statement added that players on both teams were ejected and face sit-out penalties.
The game was ruled a no-contest, and both teams were disqualified from the remainder of the GHSA state playoffs, according to Griffin-Spalding Schools. The altercation happened during a first-round game in the 4A state playoffs. According to GHSA spokesperson, Starr's Mill High School in Fayetteville will advance to the state quarterfinals with the disqualifications of both teams.
“There is no place within the Georgia High School Association for this type of behavior,” said GHSA Executive Director Dr. Robin Hines. “It was egregious and we are not going to put up with things like this.”
11Alive obtained video of the fight and blurred the incident due to the students being minors. In the video, you can see the players gathering near mid-court, with what appears to be several people getting thrown to the ground.
Later in the video, it appears that a player is swinging at another player on the opposing team as she is on the ground near the side of the court. You can watch the full blurred video in the player at the top of this story.
The GHSA said further penalties that may be levied haven't been determined yet.