Darren Kinnard
Section618.com
BLOOMINGTON — The IHSA has ruled Friday night’s game between Herrin and Benton a double-forfeit, after officials called the game with 57.7 seconds to go in overtime with the Tigers leading 60-52 following a benches-clearing incident that led to four ejections.
According to a statement from the IHSA, the game was actually called due to an argument between Herrin head coach Sayler Shurtz and Benton head coach Ron Winemiller as officials discussed the ejections and finishing the game.
“After communicating with the game officials and school personnel, it was my assessment that the game could have been completed, despite the ugly incident that occurred,” said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. “I believe the game officials may have indicated that Herrin had won the contest because they were ahead at the time it was called off, but per NFHS rules, because the game was never concluded, we did not have a completed contest. This ultimately led me to rule a double forfeit, because I believe the unsportsmanlike conduct by both head coaches prevented the game from resuming.”
The “ugly incident” Anderson is referring came on a free throw by Herrin’s Kyrese Lukens. Benton’s Nick Melvin pushed Herrin’s Jonathan Harrison twice near the Herrin student section. Players, coaches, and administrators from both schools were able to intervene quickly to prevent further escalation. Benton’s Melvin and his brother, Luke, who fouled out earlier in overtime, were both ejected, as were Herrin’s Harrison and Taylor Brandon.
Per IHSA rules, ejected players or coaches are suspended for the next game, which for both teams was Saturday. In addition to the two players ejected from each team, a total of five others missed Saturday’s games for leaving the bench–four from Benton and 1 from Herrin.
According to the IHSA release, Benton proactively suspended the player who instigated the altercation for multiple contests, and the IHSA worked with both school administrations to identify and suspend all players who were involved in physical altercations or that left their respective team bench.
In a statement released by the school, Benton Athletic Director Ryan Miller said “We have fully cooperated with the IHSA investigation and complied with all mandated penalties that have been placed upon us.”
Herrin school officials meanwhile say they will formally appeal the double-forfeit ruling, adding they were shocked when they received word from the IHSA Thursday morning. That formal appeal will go to the IHSA Board. The loss knocks the Tigers out of a first place tie with Massac County in the SIRR Ohio.
In addition to the double-forfeit, Anderson put both schools on notice. “We cannot let actions like this tarnish high school athletics,” Anderson said. “Any future incidents involving these schools will result in significantly stiffer penalties, which could include exclusion from competing in the IHSA State Series.”