Two battles took place Friday night at the Brainerd-Tyner boys' basketball game.
Tyner's Rams went on to win the hotly contested game 51-47, but the District 6-AA matchup was marred by a series of off-court fights that halted the game for 30 minutes so order could be restored.
A fight broke out on the south end of the gym with 48.1 seconds to go and Tyner leading 48-47. Police attempted to break up the melee, but another fight broke out in the stands. Both teams were swept off the floor, and after nearly deciding to call the game, the coaches and authorities agreed to clear the once-packed stands.
When play resumed, the Rams (12-4, 9-1) hit three big free throws and had a crucial defensive stop to seal the victory.
"It's aggravating," Brainerd coach Robert High said. "You've got these 10 kids competing and playing their hearts out, but then you have all this disturbance and it takes away from the whole intensity of the game. It's stuff you don't expect to happen. This is a first in my (34-year) career. I've never once had to stop the game for fighting."
Added Tyner coach Gerald Harris: "It really took away from the spirit of the game. It had been a great game, but to look up at the stands and realize that not too long before it had been a packed crowd really took away from the spirit."
In a game that featured six ties and 16 lead changes, Tyner's Travis Jones led all scorers with 20 points, including four in the final 2:01. Jermel McKenzie, who injured his wrist in the game, hit three free throws with 1:22 to go, which proved to be the go-ahead points. Brainerd's Jermaine Williams then scored on a layup, but after the melee Tyner's Dee Suttles and Jones hit clinching free throws.
"We started to execute the way we were trying to at the beginning," Harris said. "We wanted to get the ball inside. Once we did that, we had success."
Sophomore Damon Warren led the Panthers (11-10, 4-4) with 16 points, including a 3 that tied the game in the final two minutes.
"I told the kids that they fought hard," High said. "I've been telling them all year that even if we lose, as long as we fought hard, I'm satisfied.
"I'm never satisfied with a loss, but I am satisfied with our effort."