Shelton athlete cited for assault

A Shelton High girls basketball player was cited by Shelton Police for assault in the fourth degree, a gross misdemeanor, on Jan. 31 after a fight broke out during the Climbers game with Aberdeen at Terry Gregg Court at the Shelton Mini-Dome.

With 3:35 remaining in the third quarter of the contest, Aberdeen’s Jaylynn Phimmasone — identified by the Bobcats’ roster — collected a rebound and under tight defense from Shelton’s Jasmine Rivera slipped on the floor near the baseline.

Video of the incident shows Phimmasone appear to swing at Rivera with a glancing blow to the side and back of her head as both players hit the ground to which Rivera retaliates by hitting Phimmasone several times before being separated by another Shelton player.

Game officials ejected Rivera from the game, and allowed Phimmasone to remain in the contest.

Shelton High School Athletic Director Scott Chamberlain declined to comment on the incident, as did WIAA Assistant Director Andy Barnes who handles ejections and suspensions for the statewide athletic association.

Barnes provided the Journal with a copy of the WIAAs violent conduct ejection policy, which says that a player ejected for violent conduct is suspended for 20% of the team’s scheduled games. Additionally, if a player is unable to serve the full suspension before the season ends, they must sit the equivalent number of contests for the following athletic season. Both players involved are seniors.

At the Journal’s press time it was unknown when Rivera’s hearing with Shelton Municipal Court was scheduled.

Author Bio

Justin Johnson, Editor

Shelton-Mason County Journal & Belfair Herald
Email: [email protected]