IHSAA Responds To Court Order
INDIANAPOLIS – Griffith and Hammond high schools have filed a lawsuit in Lake County Court with respect to the decision of the IHSAA Review Committee to uphold the penalties issued to Griffith High School and Hammond High School as a result of their boys basketball game of Feb. 7, 2015.
The injunction hearing will be heard Monday, March 2, 2015 at 8:45 am CT at the Lake County Courthouse on whether both schools will be reinstated into the tournament.
The filing of the lawsuit came after the respective boys basketball seasons for Hammond and Griffith high schools at all levels were cancelled for the remainder of 2014‐15 season including the state tournament by the IHSAA.
The decision among additional penalties came as a result of incidents on Feb. 7 at Griffith High School during the varsity boys basketball game between the two schools. With Griffith leading 4‐0 in the first quarter, a Hammond player shoved a Griffith player from behind as he was attempting to score causing him to impact the wall head‐first. Within seconds, players and coaches from both teams left their benches and some spectators entered the playing floor pushing, shoving and some punches exchanged. The game was called by game officials with 5:32 remaining in the first quarter and Griffith police were called to help restore order at the scene.
The IHSAA Review Committee then ruled to uphold the original penalties levied against the two schools after the original decision was appealed.
Additionally, the court has asked the IHSAA to construct a “temporary draw” of Sectional 17 hosted by Hammond Gavit. That was accomplished Friday afternoon at the IHSAA office, was videotaped and witnessed by both IHSAA staff members and a non‐staff member. Should the court find in favor of the plaintiffs, Griffith High School and Hammond High School will be included in the sectional tournament.
Finally, should the court rule in favor of the plaintiffs, Sectional 17 will be postponed until Thursday evening in order for all member schools in the sectional to have proper time to prepare for their new opponents.
The original five‐team pairings drawn last Sunday were:
17. Hammond Gavit (5)
G1: Hammond Clark vs. Lighthouse CPA. Tues, 6 pm
G2: Hammond Gavit vs. Bowman Academy. Fri, 6 pm G3: Gary Roosevelt vs. Winner of G1. Fri, 7:30 pm Championship: Winner of G2 vs. Winner of G3. Sat, 7 pm
Should it be needed following Monday’s hearing, the redrawn pairings that include seven teams, would be as follows:
17. Hammond Gavit (7)
G1: Griffith vs. Lighthouse CPA. Thurs, 7 pm
G2: Hammond Gavit vs. Gary Roosevelt. Fri, 6 pm
G3: Bowman Academy vs. Hammond. Fri, 7:30 pm
G4: Hammond Clark vs. Winner of G1. Sat, 6 pm
G5: Winner of G2 vs. Winner of G3. Sat, 7:30 pm Championship: Winner of G4 vs. Winner of G5. Mon, 7:30 pm