COLUMBIA, S.C. — Handshakes and hugs replaced punches and anger for two basketball teams brought together Friday after athletic officials said their postgame brawl brought shame to South Carolina.
The teams from Southside and Abbeville high schools were summoned to the offices of the South Carolina High School League on Friday. They heard from a former college football coach, a current high school coach and a state lawmaker.
Southside faced possible sanctions, but league commissioner Jerome Singleton ruled the Tigers could take part in today’s Upper State championship final against Keenan.
The winner advances to the state championship game March 6.
Former South Carolina State football coach Willie Jeffries spoke to the 13 Southside and 11 Abbeville players about their responsibility to themselves, their schools and the younger children who look up to their actions.
“Good discipline, conduct, sportsmanship, that’s what matters most of all,” Jeffries said.
Spartanburg High School football coach Freddie Brown and state Rep. Karl Allen, D-Greenville, also spoke to the players.
Brown said he was in Alabama with one of his cornerbacks when the fight appeared on TV.
“It’s a black eye on the state. It’s a black eye on the school. It’s a black eye on your family. It’s a black eye on you,” Brown said. “The good news is black eyes heal.”
Jeffries and Brown had the players take some healing steps, directing a line of congratulations and handshakes where both sides hugged and apologized.
The ugly fight took place after Southside’s 61-55 playoff win over Abbeville on Wednesday night.
The fight apparently flared during the standard postgame handshake line. Officials from both schools did not know what incident, if any, touched off the brawl.
Video showed players on each side involved as fans left the stands to take part. Coaches and administrators could be seen trying to separate those fighting, and a law enforcement officer could be seen extending his baton as he tried to clear the court.
There were no injuries or arrests.
