Oakdale, Greenback boys basketball game ends after fans, players rush court and fight in stands

A fight between Oakdale and Greenback boys basketball players and spectators erupted during a game on Dec. 15. 

It escalated to the extent that the game played at Oakdale could not be controlled and had to end prematurely with less than a minute left. The final score was Oakdale 70, Greenback 59. 

The TSSAA told Knox News it is communicating with the administration from both schools regarding the incident. No punishment has been given to either team at this point. 

Knox News emailed the coaches, principals and athletic directors of both schools to ask for comment and if there would be self-imposed punishments. The only response received has been from Greenback principal Matt Brookshire. 

“The incident that occurred during the Oakdale v. Greenback game is very disheartening and has no place in high school sports," wrote Brookshire. "It was unacceptable. Greenback School is in full compliance with the measures mandated by TSSAA, and the current practices of the school district.  We also understand that additional measures may be necessary as more information becomes available. When something like this happens, it diminishes all the hard work the players and coaches invested in preparation for their season. Greenback School places a high value on good sportsmanship, and the events on Friday night are not consistent with our values. We will continue to work with our student-athletes, understanding that they are kids, and do our best to instill the values of good sportsmanship, while at the same time holding all those involved accountable.”

What happened between Oakdale and Greenback

Knox News obtained the TSSAA officials’ report relaying the events. 

Oakdale led 70-59 with 54.2 seconds left in the fourth quarter. A personal foul for illegal contact was called on an Oakdale player and a technical foul was given to a Greenback player for illegal contact during the dead ball.

While the officiating crew reported the fouls and prepared for free throws, the report said “a fight erupted in the stands opposite the team benches between adult male spectators.” The altercation “quickly escalated” with fans rushing across the court to the opposite stands. 

“Both coaches and school officials appeared to be trying to control their respective players as best they could,” the report added. “However, as the fighting continued it appeared that every player from both teams eventually left their bench area and moved onto the court towards the opposite stands area.”

The report said the single police officer at the game was seen immediately going into the stands where the fight began. The officials agreed they saw at least two players from each team participate in the altercation stands but that there were “almost certainly” more.  

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According to the report, the referees deemed the situation on the court and in the stands uncontrollable as spectators and players were still actively trying to join the altercation. There also remained no security on the court and “unlikely to be anytime soon.” 

The officials chose to end the game and leave the floor. They alerted the official scorer and school site administrator who were both at the scorer's table of the final score.

Before the referees left, an object was thrown at the crew from what appeared to be the home team seating area behind the benches.

When the officials departed the court, altercations continued on and off the floor.

The cause of the fight in the stands was not mentioned in the report.

Toyloy Brown III is a Knox News sports reporter. Email toyloy.brown@knoxnews.com. On X, formerly Twitter, @TJ3rd_.