Boys’ basketball: Suspensions handed out in City brawl

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Two players from Los Angeles Fremont, along with Coach Sam Sullivan, were given one-game suspensions, and one player from Los Angeles Crenshaw received a one-game suspension in response to their involvement in an altercation that occurred in the fourth quarter of last Wednesday’s Coliseum League boys’ basketball game at Crenshaw.

Pepper spray was used by a school police officer after fans started to brawl.

Because Fremont forfeited its game on Saturday against Sylmar, players Mike Sullivan and Josh Manning and Coach Sullivan will be allowed to participate in the Pathfinders’ next game on Friday against Dorsey.

Crenshaw’s Hassante Manning, ejected for a second intentional foul, will be required to miss Wednesday’s game against View Park Prep. The schools are expected to impose additional sanctions and punishment after reviewing incident reports, according to City Section administrator Trent Cornelius.

If the schools’ response is not acceptable, the City Rules Committee could impose its own punishment. Crenshaw was awarded the victory by forfeit because Sullivan was assessed two technical fouls.

No decision has been made about the next meeting between Fremont and Crenshaw scheduled for Feb. 6 at Fremont. Cornelius indicated the game will not be played at night, but whether it is switched to a neutral site remains to be decided.

Crenshaw Coach Ed Waters called the incident “an aberration.” He said he spoke on Monday with Sam Sullivan in attempt to reconcile any concerns between the two programs.

-- Eric Sondheimer