Referee’s ‘Gutsy’ Call Starts Brawl at Oakland Prep Basketball Game

A “gutsy” call by a referee at a high school basketball game sparked a brawl that spread to 400 fans in the gymnasium, injuring at least one student.

“It was just one of those controversial calls that ended up with high school kids getting emotional,” Fremont High Coach Michael Marcoulis said after Friday night’s game. “All hell broke loose.”

Fremont’s Phil Cathey was fouled as time ran out with the visiting Skyline High Titans ahead, 64-62. Cathey made his first free throw, narrowing the score to 64-63, and then hit his second shot--but referee Stu Kessler disallowed it, ruling that Cathey stepped over the free-throw line while shooting.

A fight broke out in the stands, spreading throughout the gymnasium. “It was like the gates were opened and about 50 kids started running around hitting people,” said Skyline Coach Fred Noel.

Noel’s son, Jim, 18, required four stitches after being punched in the eye, and the team’s statistician suffered a swollen knee when she found herself in the middle of one brawl, the coach said.

“I’ve seen referees let much worse things slide because of the emotions in the crowd,” Noel remarked.

Even though the loss may cost his team a berth in the Oakland Athletic League playoffs, Marcoulis didn’t criticize the call.

“It was a gutsy call because of the emotion of the game. I don’t know if it was right or wrong,” he said.