Orange Will Forfeit Game After On-Court Incident

An on-court incident between Orange and Santa Ana Valley high schools on Tuesday resulted in one arrest, 12 ejections and the subsequent forfeiture of a boys’ basketball game.

Orange Athletic Director Ed Howard said the Panthers will forfeit Friday’s game against Villa Park because nine of their players were ejected during a 64-61 victory over visiting Santa Ana Valley on Tuesday.

Michael Law, 49, of Orange, was cited for misdemeanor assault and battery by Orange Police after going onto the court and allegedly using his hand to hit Santa Ana Valley senior guard Isaias Gonzalez.

Gonzalez and Law’s son, Toby Law, a junior guard for Orange, had engaged in “toe-to-toe posturing” after chasing a loose ball, according to Howard. Santa Ana Valley Coach Kevin Stipp said the two players pushed at each other after becoming entangled with 1 minute 42 seconds remaining and Orange leading by eight points.

According to the police report, Michael Law left the stands and went onto the court, and witnesses said 15-20 others followed.

So did eight players off the Orange bench, which is a violation of Southern Section rules. Nine Orange players, including Law, were ejected. Three Santa Ana Valley players, including Gonzalez, were ejected and will miss Friday’s game at Foothill.

Section rules mandate that ejected players must sit out the following game, which leaves Orange with only four varsity players available for the Villa Park game. Santa Ana Valley will have eight against Foothill.

Toby Law will be suspended one additional game by Orange.