U’town, Meadville both losers after double forfeit
The first-round PIAA game was halted following a brawl in the stands that spilled on to the court.
The first-round PIAA game was halted following a brawl in the stands that spilled on to the court.
Neither Uniontown nor Meadville will advance in the PIAA boys basketball playoffs.
The PIAA declared their fight-marred game a double forfeit and wants involved spectators suspended from attending any school-sponsored sporting events for more than a year, the association announced Monday. Their game Friday night at Meadville was halted with 3 minutes, 12 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter when a fight in the stands spread onto the court.
“We are disappointed that our season ended the way it did,” Uniontown athletic director Harry Kaufman said in a statement. “We thank everyone that has shown their support. We look forward to continued success from our boys basketball program.”
Each school must fulfill a list of requirements imposed Monday by the PIAA or else its boys basketball team will be barred from next season’s state playoffs.
• Each school must submit a plan of action “detailing what processes are in place to prevent situations like this from occurring in the future.” The deadline is March 19.
• All players and coaches on the current roster must complete NFHS educational courses related to sportsmanship.
• The spectators “whose identities are known to school administration” must be banned from attendance at any and all school sponsored activities until June 15, 2026.
The PIAA also reprimanded each school for violating PIAA bylaws by “not addressing the unsportsmanlike behavior” of their spectators.
The Uniontown-Meadville winner was scheduled to face District 3 champion Hershey (22-3) in a second-round game Tuesday. Hershey instead will receive a bye.
Uniontown (22-5) was the fifth seed from the WPIAL. Meadville (16-9) was the District 10 champion.
Meadville led 63-55 when the game was halted.
Video from X via Trib Total Media
