Coach threatens opposing basketball coach after brawl at game, Missouri officials say
A fight broke out during a basketball game in Missouri, leading to opposing coaches being asked to leave the facility, officials say.
Witnesses of the Feb. 2 incident at the Cape Girardeau SportsPlex, however, say there is more to the story.
The SportsPlex said in a Facebook post that an altercation broke out Sunday afternoon between opposing teams.
Video shared by KFVS shows basketball players and adults involved in the fight, which spread across the court. It’s unclear what led to the brawl.
Coaches from both teams were asked to leave the facility, and one of the coaches began to make threats to the other, officials said.
Police responded to the facility and took one of the coaches into custody, according to the SportsPlex. Charges were not announced.
The SportsPlex said no weapons were recovered during the fight, but witnesses recalled fear as they tried to get their children to safety.
Allen Null, who was at the facility for a birthday party, said families were “scared to death” as the fight spread to the lobby.
“It was more than just a fight with people yelling and screaming!” Joni Burleson said in a Facebook comment. “People were laying over their kids, some hiding in the bathrooms, some ran out the building to the Elks Club and not a sole tried to calm people over the intercom!”
Hillary Mayberry shared a similar point of view, indicating there was not a security presence to stop the chain of events.
“When my students and own family members are crying in fear and running for safety, I get vocal,” Mayberry said. “Someone needs to fix this, or someone will get severely hurt, or worse. Simply put, ban the coaches and/or individuals who act in this manner, at the moment it starts. Tell the refs to do a better job of not tolerating violent behavior on the court, and for the love of God, hire security!”
No injuries were reported, according to KFVS.
The SportsPlex has not issued any additional statements. It said it would continue to review the incident.
Cape Girardeau is about a 120-mile drive southeast from St. Louis.
This story was originally published February 3, 2025 at 9:22 AM with the headline "Coach threatens opposing basketball coach after brawl at game, Missouri officials say."