The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association ruled this week that Friday's first-round Class 5A boys' basketball playoff game between Meadville and Uniontown would be ruled a double forfeit and neither team would advance following a fight in the stands that suspended the game with 3:12 left on the clock.
As reported by USA TODAY, Meadville was leading 63-55 with 3:12 left to play when the melee occurred. "It was thought that, with an eight point lead, the PIAA might declare Meadville the winner," Todd M. Adams wrote for USA TODAY High School Sports. "But, over the weekend, when it did not show them in the next round on their official bracket, it became clear that the PIAA was investigating, and considering its options.
"On Monday, it determined that players from both teams were involved in the brawl."
“Due to the blatant violations of the PIAA bylaws, the Meadville vs. Uniontown basketball game will be recorded as a forfeiture for each team,” the PIAA said in a statement.
The game is officially listed as a double forfeiture on the PIAA’s official bracket, and Hersey has already been advanced to the next round.
Ugly ending to the Meadville game with several fans taken off in cuffs. Game called with 3:12 left. Bulldogs win 63-55 pic.twitter.com/zHjDwLQ3EY
— Tom Reisenweber (@ETNreisenweber) March 8, 2025
Meadville police told TMZ Sports that they intend "to be charging several fans and players. Most likely with Disorderly Conduct." At least two adult men were escorted from the gymnasium in handcuffs.
Meadville coach Mark McElhinny told Goearie.com that the school is exploring its legal options.
“The kids are obviously very disappointed. We’re exploring our legal options and trying to get a better explanation from the PIAA as to what we should have done. Unfortunately, by waiting until the end of the day for the announcement they didn’t give us much time for legal recourse. but we have some wonderful young men who didn’t deserve this so we’ll do whatever we can.”
The PIAA also announced that both teams will be removed from next year’s postseason tournament unless they each adhere to a list of five provision. Those include:
- A plan of action will be submitted to the PIAA detailing what processes are in place to prevent situations like this from occurring in the future. The plans are due to the PIAA by March 19.
- All players for the 2025-26 school year will complete the NFHS sportsmanship module.
- All coaches in the 2025-26 basketball program will complete the NFHS sportsmanship and the teaching and modeling behavior modules.
- The identified spectators from each school whose identities are known to school administration are to be banned from attending any and all school-sponsored activities until June 15, 2026.
- Each school is reprimanded for not addressing the unsportsmanlike behavior of their spectators which is a direct violation of the PIAA bylaws as detailed in Article 1, Section 5: Spectators of the PIAA bylaws.
