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Stupidity abounded Friday night
Monessen boys basketball coach Joe Salvino couldn't recall a similar scene in his 25 years leading the Greyhounds.
Washington athletic director Joe Nicolella couldn't think of a time a sporting event involving the Prexies took such a violent turn.
Friday's girls-boys basketball doubleheader between Washington and Monessen was everything both schools wanted until 8:25 p.m.
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But during halftime, things went wrong quickly.
A fight between females from Washington and Monessen that started in the hallway escalated into a mind-numbing, gym-clearing riot complete with police dogs and Tasers. It placed a black eye on the images of both schools.
The second half was played in an empty gym, with only players, coaches, game officials and staff on hand to watch Washington dismantle Monessen.
Whether anyone not playing will remember the score is unlikely thanks to the actions of a few knuckleheads, four of whom have been cited for disorderly conduct by the Monessen Police Department.
It's tough determining who were the biggest losers Friday night. No doubt the kettleheads who instigated the riot qualify. So do the fans behind the scorer's table who jumped to the floor and armed themselves with chairs. And we can't forget about the group of Washington fans who confronted the Monessen players as they attempted to get back to the locker room.
Yep, it's a long list.
"My level of disappointment is immense because Monessen is my school and, obviously, I graduated from Wash High," Sacco said Friday night. "The worst part if it had nothing to do with what was going on out on the floor."
In the aftermath, there are two things Monessen should appreciate. One is the metal detector at the entrance to the gym installed last year and the other is knowing that its girls basketball players were not involved in the number of altercations that occurred. The boys players, despite being accosted by a number of fans, did not resort to throwing punches.
"This had nothing to do with the players. They acted like gentlemen," Monessen boys basketball coach Joe Salvino said. "They played the game the way it was supposed to be played."
Maybe it's the Prexies and Greyhounds who become the biggest losers in a situation Monessen took every precaution to avoid. After all, no one was there to watch the second half. Washington's fans weren't there to celebrate another section title.
"I do feel like we were cheated," said Washington senior Troy Wilson, easily the best player on the court Friday night for a team that looks every bit the part of a WPIAL championship contender. "I feel we didn't get to showcase our talents."
Not to mention, when Washington plays Lincoln Park today in the Pittsburgh Classic at Robert Morris, think anyone will talk about the Prexies' performance? What about when Monessen travels to Chartiers-Houston on Tuesday?
"I feel like this gives people a reason to stereotype us," Wilson added.
That's the unfortunate thing in these situations. Teams get labels, deserved or not. In this case, it's the latter.
Communities get labeled too and, after the completion of this basketball season, the WPIAL is most likely to label Washington and Monessen as non-rivals. Say good-bye to the annual games, the area's premier boys basketball rivalry and good luck finding teams willing to play either school.
All because of a couple idiots who should never be allowed to step inside a high school gymnasium again.
Mike Kovak can be reached at mkovak@observer-reporter.com
Related articles:
Police cite parents, teens in 'riot'
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WHS-Monessen : 1/31/2010
Who was the genius that had WHS-Monessen sitting in the same section? Common sense could have prevented this.
Losers : 1/31/2010
"It's tough determining who were the biggest losers Friday night. No doubt the kettleheads who instigated the riot qualify." They weren't the only losers, but they were the only "losers" that came to the game in that condition.
game : 1/31/2010
Whether they were sitting in the same section or not had no outcome on where the fight started. It did not start in the gym. The cramped outer lobby is where the fight began. Monessen fans took up 3/4ths of the gym. So, someone had to be sitting on the Wash High side of the gym. There were three sections on that side. Monessen had one section and Wash High two.
Rivalry : 1/31/2010
"Who was the genius that had WHS-Monessen sitting in the same section? Common sense could have prevented this." This is the type of moronic attitude that abounds in youth sports. Why separate the two groups. The parents should be ashamed of themselves for permitting this type of mind set and lack of sportsmanship to exist. How many Capitals and Penquins games have segregated fan seating? How about Superbowl seating? Will Saints fans be on one side of the field and the Colts fans be on the other? It was a High school basketball game for God's sake. Grow up people! It's a rivalry; not a war.
Shut em down! : 1/31/2010
Sacco said Friday night. "The worst part if it had nothing to do with what was going on out on the floor." This would be an acceptable reason? This kind of garbage has been going on for years and years and it took a WTAE cameraman to bring this to an "inconvenient" light. It just isnt worth the effort to have these activities anymore. Try chess or needlepoint, something less "interactive" and leave other schools out of it. I say, this activity brings the worst of society (our children) together to act like, well, unbehaved children who never face punishment so you gets what you gets.
Game : 1/31/2010
Two girls from Wash-High started that fight in the hallway and they know who they are. I am from Washington and I observed the entire fight. One of the girls from Washington pushed the girl from Monessen and the other girl from Wash jumped in the fight. They jumped that girl from Monessen and started that mess and ruined the game for everyone. They need to review the tape at the school and charge and hold accountable the two girls from Washington that started that fight. I am sorry even though I am from Wash those two girls were wrong and they know who they are.
Metal detectors : 1/31/2010
If Monesssen needs metal detectors at their school for safety, how safe are you when they (Monessen) plays an away game.
game : 2/1/2010
It appeared to me that most of the fans were still in the stands. If you went down on the floor you should bear the conquences and not worry about being tassered.
I agree with Police supporter : 2/1/2010
Even if they were on the same side of the gym grow up.I think they should make an example out of those two girls,police's job is hard & dangerous enough .I live in waynesburg & our county police are GREAT!!.THANK-YOU Wbg. police.
Monessen : 2/1/2010
Metal detectors
Kovak : 2/1/2010
Between Terrell Pryor's fight a couple years ago and this, you always seem to find yourself in the middle of the action. Good narrative, Kovak.
a police supporter : 2/2/2010
I would be concern. Police were telling people to leave the gym, while one of their own was being stun gun happy using it on a person that was already in handcuffs being held by two other officers. If stunned this person twice.
out of control : 2/2/2010
How can you keep a crowd in control when your out of control. Im talking about the police officer that over reacted.
kovak : 2/2/2010
I think you need to choose another proffession, your not cut out for this.
Monessen : 2/9/2010
This kind of behavior has been going on in Monessen for yrs....I remember back when I was a cheerleader for one of the opposing teams our bus had to be escorted in & out of the town of Monessen...So one shold be surprised
stereotypes : 2/10/2010
Stereotypes make themselves.
