iStockphoto / miflippo
A high school basketball game in Corona, California got out of hand when a referee punched a coach in the face after a tense exchange on the sideline.
During a game between Oak Hills and Arlington at Santiago High School last Saturday, the incident was caught on camera by someone in the stands. The referee can be seen approaching the coach who has his hands around his waist before getting close then punching the coach across the face who hits the ground. At that point the referee continues to throw punches.
TMZ Sports obtained footage of the altercation:
According to TMZ Sports the referee, Brandon Knapper, approached Oak Hills head coach Rob Alexander who was upset with a call (or calls). Tense words were exchanged after Brandon Knapper approached Alexander before throwing a punch right in front of the bench.
From that point, the game was canceled and Oak Hills head coach Rob Alexander was taken to the hospital. Alexander also requested Brandon Knapper be prosecuted and Knapper turned himself in and was charged with two felonies, Battery Causing Serious Bodily Injury and Assault By Means Likely To Produce Great Bodily Injury.
In the wake of the fight, Hesperia Unified School District released a statement to TMZ Sports saying “The District is thankful for the swift and decisive action taken by the event promoters and local law enforcement. We are also happy to report that Coach Alexander is in good spirits and looking forward to returning to coaching and teaching as soon as possible. We have the utmost confidence that law enforcement, CIF, and Oak Hills High School, with the support of the District, will investigate the incident thoroughly and handle it appropriately.”
When Knapper, who was released on Wednesday after bail was set at $25,000, appears in court on November 3rd it certainly won’t be lost on the judge that this happened in front of high school kids. Every adult in that room is supposed to be setting a good example for the next generation.