Players, Coach Were Both Involved in MI H.S. Basketball Melee

UPDATE: The Dowagiac Police Department has been actively investigating the melee that took place following the Benton Harbor v. Buchanan boys' basketball game on February 26. According to a Facebook post by the police department, they have,

Identified players and a coach from Benton Harbor that threw objects that hit the MHSAA referee.

The investigation is still ongoing, with police saying that they aim to identify any and all people who,

engaged in assaulting the MHSAA referee.

ORIGINAL STORY: Athletes and sports fans are very, very devoted to their teams - be it professional, college, or even high school. And sometimes, they don't agree with the refs.

We don't always have to agree with them, but we definitely shouldn't be doing THIS.

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A video posted to Facebook on February 27 - shows the very end of a Michigan high school basketball district semi-final game - and what happened to the referee when the game was over.

Trash Thrown at Ref After Michigan High School Basketball Game

Now, the video only shows what happened from one angle, so it's hard to tell exactly who is doing the throwing, so keep that in mind.

This all went down at the conclusion of the game between Benton Harbor High School and Buchanan High School held in Dowagiac on February 26, 2025.

WNDU reports that during the game, the Benton Harbor team was called for a whopping 22 fouls, while Buchanan only had eight fouls called against them.

In the end, Buchanan pulled off a win against Benton Harbor with a final score of 39-36. And that's when the pandemonium started.

As the Buchanan team and fans were celebrating, suddenly, a basketball flew through the air from the other side of the gym, striking the game's referees in the head. Then, what appeared to be cups or water bottles were thrown at the ref as he attempted to walk away.

Ultimately, the unnamed referee fell to the ground and had to be helped out and escorted out of the gym by police.

Benton Harbor Superintendent Responds to Post-Game Incident

Benton Harbor Area Schools Superintendent Kelvin Butts responded to the incident the following day. In a written statement on the district's website, Butts said that they are "actively investigating" the incident along with the superintendents from both Dowagiac Union Schools and Buchanan Community Schools, as well as the Michigan High School Athletic Association.

He was also quick to come to the defense of the members of the basketball team, saying:

It is important to note that most of the outrage and disorder came from the fans and audience, not our student-athletes. Our student-athletes demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship and composure throughout this challenging situation. We truly appreciate their resilience and commend them for representing Benton Harbor with class.

Buchanan Community Schools Superintendent Responds to Post-Game Incident

Buchanan Community Schools Superintendent Patricia Robinson also released a statement regarding the incident. In a statement on the district's website, Robinson echoed what Superintendent Butts had said, saying they are working with the other schools involved and the MHSAA to investigate the matter.

She also stressed her pride in the gameplay and sportsmanship of the athletes of Buchanan's basketball team, saying

I want to emphasize that our student-athletes displayed positive sportsmanship and resilience throughout the game and after. We are extremely proud of how our students conducted themselves during this challenging situation.

What, if anything, happens next has yet to be seen.

Buchanan takes on Edwardsburg in the district final game tonight (February 28) in Dowagiac.