North Mason girls pulled from basketball game

‘It’s unfortunate parents took things too far’

Matt Baide | Jan 26, 20230

The North Mason girls basketball game against Crescent on Saturday in Crescent was ruled a no-contest after Bulldog coach Alex Fitzhugh pulled his players and left after the game got aggressive and parents started getting involved.

According to Fitzhugh, Crescent was “playing dirty” and the North Mason players reacted.

“I was telling the refs to watch out and the girls felt defeated,” Fitzhugh told the Journal on Monday. “One sister defended the other and I called the game. The crowd started coming onto the court and a grown man was trying to put hands on one of our players. Once adults start pushing children, game’s over. It’s not a game at that point.”

North Mason was up 25 points in the third quarter when the benches and stands cleared. Fitzhugh said he’s never seen anything like it and the rough play is usually something the refs clean up.

“I feel my players protected their own players and family,” Fitzhugh said. “We could have kept our composure better but they’re teenage girls. The refs aren’t helping you out. I just called the game and got my girls out of there. The refs weren’t calling any fouls and one of the players got into it and started arguing.”

There is reportedly video of the incident, but it was not obtained by the Journal before press time. Crescent Athletic Coordinator Chris Ferrier declined to comment on what happened.

North Mason Athletic Director Ray Bonnell said it was unfortunate what happened but said Fitzhugh handled the situation well and he received a lot of compliments for how he handled it. Bonnell quoted the head official, who said, “A lot of fouls were called and it turned into an emotional game because of that.”

“A couple of our girls reacted poorly, pushing one or two of their players and defending each other from fouling,” Bonnell told the Journal Tuesday. “No punches, no fight. What happened, a couple of parents came down from the crowd and the benches cleared because of that. Alex (Fitzhugh) got in-between it all before it turned into anything bigger. The girls weren’t as safe, it was a nonleague game and it isn’t worth it, let’s go home.”

Bonnell said the Crescent parents definitely went too far and the location of the incident was right on the sideline near the parents, which may have contributed to why the situation escalated to that level.

“It’s unfortunate parents took things too far, but we’re fortunate it didn’t become more than some pushing and shoving,” Bonnell said. “It’s kind of the nature the way the game has been across the state. For some reason, tensions have been high in crowds. We made an effort at North Mason to keep games under control. Players read a script before the game, that’s why we do that to bring it to the forefront. This is for the kids and that’s what it’s all about.”

Bonnell said there is no strain in the relationship between the two schools because of the incident. He’s hoping this is a good learning opportunity and something positive can come out of it.

“Alex took Monday’s practice and went into classroom and worked on those skills. To see a young coach mature like that is pretty cool,” Bonnell said. “We had two girls ejected for pushing and they are sitting out against Sequim tonight.”