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A high school basketball playoff game in the state of New York was marred by a vicious haymaker. The fight is now being investigated by local police.
The ugly scene unfolded during a matchup between Corcoran and West Genesee last Friday night.
The two schools are separated by about 15 miles. They faced off in Camillus, NY with West Genesee being the host.
The postseason contest was not particularly close. The final score will not be what is remembered from the game. Instead, a cheap shot stole the headlines.
New York police investigate high school basketball fight.
Camillus police said Tuesday they are investigating a Corcoran High School basketball player who hit a West Genesee player during a playoff game…
With 2:08 left in the fourth quarter, a Corcoran player… missed a free throw. As he headed back on defense, he hit the West Genesee player in the head with what appeared to be an open hand…
An investigation into the incident is ongoing, Camillus Police Capt. James Nightingale said Tuesday. No charges have been filed. Officers are conducting interviews.
Corcoran trailed big in the final moments of a game they’d lose, 77-52. One Cougars player let emotions get the best of him amid the tough performance.
The team member missed a free throw in the fourth quarter. As he turned up-court to play defense, he took a swipe at an opponent.
VIDEO FROM AROUND THE STATE: A fight broke out in the final minutes of a Section III boys basketball game between Corcoran and West Genesee. Police say school officials turned the incident over for investigation. https://t.co/2U3SNqDx8t pic.twitter.com/ux9uzBItjj
— News 8 WROC (@News_8) February 24, 2026
The punch momentarily stopped the action. The player was quickly escorted off the court and into the locker room.
Why was the punch thrown?
The West Genesee player, who reportedly suffered a concussion from the slap, opened up after the fact. He believes it was all just a misunderstanding.
“He thought I was talking crap about him,” the player told Syracuse.com. “He was thinking I was talking about him, but I wasn’t. I was like, ‘I didn’t say anything. I was talking to my teammate…’ Then right after that, boom.”
He detailed swelling and disorientation, which eventually resulted in a trip to the hospital.
Before leaving the court, he would sink one of two free throws with Corcoran receiving a technical foul. It had little impact on the outcome as the game had all but been decided.
West Genesee is ready to put the fight behind them and look ahead to their next New York high school basketball playoff contest. The Wildcats will face Henniger on Wednesday night.