A brawl at the end of a City Series girls basketball championship game on Thursday evening resulted in several people treated for pepper spray and one girl hospitalized for an asthma attack, police said.
The brawl broke out immediately after time expired in Kenmore’s 64-52 championship win over North at East Community Learning Center. Those involved included players, coaches and spectators.
Akron police discharged pepper spray while trying to gain control of the situation.
Akron Police Capt. Daniel Zampelli said no one has been arrested or detained for questioning, but investigators are reviewing footage of the scene to figure out if anyone should be charged.
“We’re working closely with Akron Public Schools to review video footage and talk with witnesses,” Zampelli said. “We’re going to see if we can identify the instigators and then see if charges are appropriate.”
School officials also viewed surveillance videos from the melee “to determine how it started and who was involved,” said Joe Vassalotti, director of athletics, student services and security for Akron Public Schools.
“Consequences will be issued,” he said on Friday. “We are in the process of doing that now. Each school will conduct interviews with several people to gather information.”
A police report documenting the brawl was not immediately available Friday afternoon.
Vassalotti said there will be increased security at Friday night’s final set of City Series regular season boys basketball games. Kenmore is scheduled to play at Firestone, Buchtel at East and Ellet at North.
“There will be heightened security for all of the boys basketball games tonight in anticipation of big crowds,” he said.
Officials opted to forego the typical trophy presentation after the brawl broke out following Thursday’s girls championship game.
“There was a planned presentation, but we felt it was much more important to clear the gym for the safety of everyone,” Vassalotti said.
As of Friday, the Kenmore and North girls basketball teams remain eligible to compete in the upcoming Ohio High School Athletic Association tournament, Vassalotti said.
“As of right now, Friday, Feb. 5, that idea has not come up yet for a team to be disqualified,” he said.
The brawl was not the first to break out after an Akron basketball game. A 2004 melee gained national attention after spectators spilled onto the floor during a Firestone-Kenmore girls basketball game. Another incident happened in 2012 during a Buchtel-Firestone boys game.
Police suspect the fight on Thursday was triggered by Kenmore’s win.
Nick Glunt can be reached at 330-996-3565 or nglunt@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @NickGluntABJ.