Mac gym cleared after fight during girls game

Tempers flared Friday during the John Marshall-MacArthur girls basketball game at the Highlanders’ Gym as players from both teams and some fans traded punches until LPS police, coaches and school administrators could separate the teams and restore order.

The game was still in the first half when the incident occurred and at that point the game was called and the gym was cleared of all fans. After the gym was cleared the boys game began under the watchful eyes of additional Lawton Public School police and administrators.

Video of the incident was filmed by KSWO-TV and was on social media not long after the incident. The Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association is expected to get reports from administrators of both schools and also view any video available before deciding what, if any, suspensions or other actions will be levied.

The girls game ended with MacArthur owning a 27-25 lead. The OSSAA will also make a determination on the official outcome of the game when it gets the reports from the schools involved and the game officials. The game is most likely to be called no contest.

Video of the incident showed players from both teams involved along with students in street clothes but the video did not clearly show what ignited the melee.

MacArthur was a heavy favorite in the girls game as the Highlanders entered the contest trailing only Midwest City in the District 5A-2 standings. Otis Gentry’s club entered last night’s game with a 9-1 district record and now Mac will await word from the OSSAA whether it will be awarded the win which would push Mac to 10-1 with three games remaining. The Bombers climbed to 10-0 in district with a 47-44 win over Del City, which fell to 8-3.

The other Lawton-area girls teams continued to struggle and will face tough regional matchups in three weeks. Edmond Santa Fe beat Eisenhower, 55-42, and Putnam City West routed Lawton High, 85-14, in Class 6A action. Ike is now 4-7 and in sixth place in District 6A-2 while LHS girls are 2-9 in District 6A-2 and are currently seventh.

In Class 5A action El Reno handed Elgin a 57-44 setback to drop the Lady Owls to 5-5 in District 5A-1 which is good for fourth place.

Also Friday in Class 4A girls action, Chickasha held on off Cache, 36-34.

Mac boys top JM

The Highlanders were able to motivate themselves in a quiet gymnasium and capture a 72-55 victory over John Marshall in another important game for Mac.

The Highlanders climbed to 9-2 on the season in District 5A-2 and with Midwest City beating Del City, 57-55, it left the Bombers in first at 10-0 and Mac and Del City tied for second at 9-2.

Mac now controls its own destiny with games against Del City and Midwest City coming up next week but last night’s win was important to keep the Highlanders within reach of hosting a regional.

Head Coach Marco Gagliardi was happy with how his team responded under the circumstances of playing in an empty gym.

“It is always weird in that environment where there is no energy from the crowd and you have to provide the energy yourself,” Gagliardi said after the win. “While it does allow you to communicate better, it’s still not what you want. I thought we played three really good quarters.

“We shared the ball and we shot the three really well. Tykhael Taylor hit some big threes, Keyion Brown was really passing the ball well and he had a bunch of assists. And Brennan Malone really dominated inside. And other guys came on and made some big plays.”

The win was even more satisfying due to the fact that only 10 players suited up.

“We only had 10 guys suited up after the bug hit us,” he said. “The rotations were weird but the guys adjusted and we got the job done. John Marshall has a pretty good bunch and with a short bench it was good to get the win.”

Next week’s challenge is one that Gagliardi knows is important with a home game Tuesday against Del City and then a road game at Midwest City.

“The way it is looking, if we get wins in both of those games it could move us up, but if we split or lose both we still are in position to host a regional if we finish third,” he said. “I feel we are playing our best now and the guys are getting more confidence.”

In Class 6A boys action Friday, Lawton High School edged Putnam City West in overtime, 61-57, to hold onto a share of third place in District 6A-2.

The Wolverines are now 7-4 and battling Westmoore, PCW and Edmond Santa Fe for second in 6A-2. Norman is in command in that district with a 9-2 record. LHS has district games remaining against Santa Fe, Norman and Yukon. The key Santa Fe and Norman games are both on the road while LHS will host Yukon in its regular-season finale.

In Class 5A El Reno boys handed Elgin a 68-30 setback, dropping the Owls to 3-9 in District 5A-1.