Fight in the Stands Forces Early End to Estancia’s Win Over Laguna Hills

A fight in the stands forced Laguna Hills and Estancia high schools to stop their nonleague boys’ basketball game with about six minutes to play Friday night at Estancia.

Tim O’Brien, Estancia coach, said the fight, which apparently started behind the Laguna Hills bench, spilled out onto the court while an Estancia player was at the free-throw line. O’Brien said a referee had noted in the official game score book that Laguna Hills decided to pull its team off the court and not continue. Estancia won, 43-35.

“It would have been tough to keep playing,” said O’Brien. “It would have been anticlimactic.”

Chris Rupsa led Estancia (5-1) with 18 points and Mike Curtis added 17. Kyle Roberts lead Laguna Hills (3-2) with eight points.

The game was O’Brien’s 100th career coaching victory. “I’m going to remember that one,” he said.