UPDATE @ 9:11 p.m. (Jan. 8): Three Dayton City League prep basketball games tipped off tonight — with no fans in the stands.
That was the decision Dayton Public Schools officials made this week following a fight involving students at Ponitz Career Tech High School on Tuesday night.
- The ban on spectators is only for Friday night
- There were 3 City League games Friday night
- There was no extra security at any of the venues
UPDATE @ 7:40 p.m. (Jan. 6):
Spectators will not be permitted to attend the following City League games Friday: Dunbar at Stivers, Belmont at Thurgood Marshall, and Meadowdale at Ponitz, Dayton Public Schools spokeswoman Jill Moberley said.
The fight Tuesday night that briefly stopped the Ponitz-Dunbar game forced the district to enact a new protocol that will only allow teams, officials and coaches on Friday, she said.
Altercations on Tuesday “resulted in disruptions that required intervention by security personnel before the game could resume,” Moberley said.
Fans are welcome Saturday.
UPDATE @ 9:23 a.m.:
Dayton Public Schools is expected to review the facts surrounding a fight that briefly stopped the Ponitz-Dunbar prep basketball game Tuesday night, district spokeswoman Jill Moberley said.
District officials will meet with security personnel later today to discuss the incident, she said.
UPDATE @5 a.m.: A video has emerged that allegedly shows the fight that erupted at the Ponitz-Dunbar prep basketball game Tuesday night. The video shows several people fighting with security breaking up the brawl.
Last month, the district said if there was a disturbance at a game among fans or players, spectators would not be allowed to watch the next game.
UPDATE @ 10:25 p.m.: Dayton Public Schools will be investigating the fight that briefly stopped the Ponitz-Dunbar prep basketball game, district spokeswoman Jill Moberley said.
Michael Sims, who told us he was at the game to watch his younger brother play, said the brawl erupted in the upper stands right after a player connected on a 3-point shot in the first period.
The fracas brought the game to a halt for a moment. he said, but school security quickly restored order.
“It seemed like the players, the coaches, even the referees were watching,” Sims said of the fight that he estimated involved up to 20 people. “It’s always something going on at one of these games.”
Dayton police returned to Ponitz, in the 700 block of Washington Street, when the game was completed. We’re hearing there were no further incidents.
FIRST REPORT
Police are at Ponitz Career Tech High School because of a fight that erupted before tonight’s basketball game vs. Dayton Dunbar.
Dayton police were dispatched to the school, in the 700 block of Washington Street, about 8:15 p.m.
We’re trying to learn whether the fight or fracas involved students. Dayton police are telling us that the fight or fracas involved students but that no players are involved and that the game is being played as scheduled.
We have a crew on scene and we’ll update this report as we get details.