Police recommend charges be filed in Indiana high school basketball brawl

Police in Griffith, Ind., have recommended criminal charges be filed against high school basketball players involved in a brawl in February.

Police in Griffith, Ind., have recommended criminal charges be filed against high school basketball players involved in a brawl in February, according to The Times of Northwest Indiana. 

The brawl occurred in the first quarter of a game on Feb. 7 between Griffith and Hammond high schools. A Griffith player was fouled after a fast break and both benches cleared. Fans also streamed onto the court, some of whom attempted to break up the fight. Police eventually intervened. 

Griffith police recommended unnamed charges against an unspecified number of players from both teams and an additional charge against an adult involved. 

Before recommending charges, Griffith police chief Greg Mance said his office had attempted to organize an educational program with the students involved but the plan was rejected. 

Both teams' seasons were canceled after the brawl and they will be probation next season.

- Dan Gartland