Fremont Coach Cited After Brawl

A Fremont High assistant basketball coach was cited by Fresno police for his alleged role in a brawl after Tuesday night’s Southern Regional Division I tournament game between Fremont and host Fresno Bullard.

Michael Houston is accused of hitting Rick Browning, Bullard assistant athletic director, who suffered a cut over his eye. Browning needed several stitches to close the wound.

The incident began when most of the Fremont and Bullard players were shaking hands after their first-round playoff game, won by Bullard, 81-60. Three technical fouls had been called during the game against Fremont players.

As fans and players were leaving, Louis Radford, a Fremont player, allegedly ran behind referee Pete Caldwell and punched him in the head.

Bullard administrators tried to restrain Radford after the incident while fans and players gathered around him. The crowd began pushing when Fremont players and coaches, who said they had not seen the alleged assault, tried to find out what happened, Fremont Coach Sam Sullivan said.

“We came out and two big men had Louis by the throat and waist,” Sullivan said. “We didn’t know what he had done and tried to make them let him go. That’s when the pushing started.”

Browning was then struck in the face, allegedly by Houston.

Fresno Unified School District officials said they will examine a videotape of the disturbance today.

Radford’s status has not been determined, Fremont Principal John Haydel said.