HUDL
A high school basketball game between Pennsylvania rival girls’ teams ended early after a fourth-quarter brawl erupted on the court.
The fight between Penn Hills and Gateway started with nearly a full quarter left to play. An investigation into potential punishment has since been launched.
The two schools are separated by less than 10 miles. Penn Hills made the 15-minute trek to Gateway over the weekend to continue a Section 2-5A rivalry.
The Indians entered at 10-10 on the season while the Gators sat at just 2-16. Not much other than bragging rights was on the line.
Penn Hills had already beaten the Gators soundly earlier in the year, 48-15. It would be much of the same in Round 2.
Penn Hills beat its high school basketball rival.
Gateway was in search of its first win in division play. It would come up well short. Much like the first meeting, it was all Indians on the court.
Penn Hills started the fourth quarter with a significant lead. Early into that final period, punches were thrown.
Gateway brought the ball up the court and quickly turned it over. Penn Hills secured possession and was immediately fouled. Chaos ensued.
Here is the video…
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📹Hudl https://t.co/oyibGG7tfO pic.twitter.com/oS3WvH34Sq— Bob Greenburg (@BobGreenburg) February 7, 2026
Pushing and shoving followed the foul, which then turned into a boxing bout. Despite time remaining on the clock, the game was called by referees after players were separated.
Penn Hills won, 32-14.
An investigation into the brawl has been launched.
The WPIAL spent part of Friday reviewing information and video of an on-court fight during the fourth quarter of Thursday’s Section 2-5A girls basketball game between rivals Gateway and Penn Hills at Gateway’s Furrie Sports Complex.
WPIAL executive director Vince Sortino said he had no direct comment on the fight itself, but he was working on getting statements from both schools and looking at video of the incident contained in the overall game footage shot by Gateway and posted to its Hudl page. He said he didn’t yet have any information as to what possible disciplinary decisions might be taken.
–HSSN
Potential punishment is set to follow. The Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League is reviewing the brawl.
“That escalated quickly, and we tried to quickly get control of it,” said Penn Hills coach Robert Cash. “There was a push here and there and other small things during the game, but nothing major.”
Gateway coach Sam Salih blamed officiating.
“Coach Cash and I were hoping the referees would be able to keep control of the game,” he said after the loss. He worries that suspensions will follow ahead of the team’s final game.
Penn Hills has secured a playoff spot with its 8-4 record in league play. Cash will work to ensure emotions are kept in check moving forward.
“As a program, we are not happy with what happened. That is not what we do, and it’s not who we are. That is not how we play the game. We are very disappointed in what happened. We just have to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
It will be interesting to see the outcome of the investigation with the postseason approaching.