Half Hollow Hills schools respond to basketball brawl in high school game

Half Hollow Hills school district officials confirmed Monday that they are cooperating with a police investigation into the late-game brawl that erupted during last week’s boys basketball game between Half Hollow Hills West and Comsewogue.

In a statement provided to Greater Long Island, Superintendent of Schools John O’Farrell condemned the incident and said the district is working with law enforcement.

“Half Hollow Hills condemns violence of any kind at our sporting events or within our schools and considers such behavior completely unacceptable,” O’Farrell said. “We are cooperating fully with the Suffolk County Police Department as they conduct their investigation.”

The district did not respond to follow-up questions from Greater Long Island regarding whether disciplinary action was taken against any of the players involved or whether those players have participated in games since Thursday night.

Officials also declined to say whether the adult who was criminally charged in the incident is permitted to attend district athletic events, or if the district is considering filing a formal complaint against Comsewogue over the behavior of that high school’s players.

The fight broke out with 44 seconds remaining in Half Hollow Hills West’s 63–52 home win. Video of the incident, recorded during the NFHS Network simulcast of the game and shared with Greater Long Island by a high school basketball player, shows players, referees, security personnel and spectators converging on the court as the altercation spilled toward a gym exit.

At one point, an adult spectator is seen running toward the melee and striking a Comsewogue player from behind.

It remains unclear whether the game was officially resumed after the incident. The score at the time of the fight — 63–52 — stood as the final.

The Comsewogue School District said over the weekend that it is conducting its own internal investigation and pointed out that a parent from Half Hollow Hills West was seen physically assaulting one of the Comsewogue players during the incident.

Comsewogue officials said disciplinary action would be determined once that review is complete.

_{Top: Inset photo source is Facebook/Half Hollow Hills Central School District. Main photo source is Google Maps Street View.}

Prior coverage

Wheatley Heights man arrested for punching player in high school basketball brawl

Comsewogue says HHH West parent assaulted player in wild basketball brawl

Adult strikes player in Half Hollow Hills West hoops brawl, on video