AAA Ejects Players From Barton, England After 2A State Tournament Brawl; Investigation Continues
The Arkansas Activities Association has announced disciplinary action following Saturday’s brawl that occurred at the conclusion of the Class 2A boys basketball semifinal between Barton and England at the state tournament in Poyen.
In a statement released Tuesday, the AAA said an initial investigation conducted in conjunction with Barton and England High Schools resulted in multiple player ejections after officials reviewed video and other evidence from the incident.
According to the AAA, five members of the Barton basketball team were ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct and, under AAA regulations, are ineligible to compete in the upcoming Class 2A state championship game.
Seven members of the England basketball team were also ejected following the review.
“What happened at the end of the contest between Barton and England was unacceptable and does not reflect the values of education-based athletics,” AAA Executive Director Lance Taylor said in the statement. “We have gone through every second of the incident, from multiple angles, to identify any student-athlete, school personnel, and community members involved in the altercation. Any team member who engaged in an unsportsmanlike act, or instigated an unsportsmanlike act, has been ejected.”
The altercation broke out immediately following Barton’s 52-51 semifinal victory over England. Authorities described the situation as involving a large crowd of student-athletes and fans from both schools.
Law enforcement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene alongside the Arkansas State Police, the Sheridan Police Department and other assisting agencies to restore order.
The Grant County Sheriff’s Office has since opened a criminal investigation into the incident and indicated that criminal charges could be pursued against individuals involved. The AAA said it supports the sheriff’s office’s decision to open the investigation and intends to cooperate fully.
“The AAA remains committed to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for all participants and spectators,” the statement said, adding that the investigation remains open and additional disciplinary action could be taken if new evidence emerges.
Taylor also noted that while the altercation has drawn widespread attention, many individuals from both schools attempted to de-escalate the situation.
“There have been plenty of comments made about the negative, but there were numerous individuals from both Barton and England who tried to do the right thing,” Taylor said.
Despite the suspensions, Barton is still scheduled to compete in the Class 2A state championship game Thursday in Hot Springs against Mt. Vernon-Enola.
Mt. Vernon-Enola advanced to the title game after defeating Sloan-Hendrix 62-59 in the semifinals, while Barton reached the championship with its one-point victory over England.
The Grant County Sheriff’s Office investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not yet released the names of any individuals who may face criminal charges.