Massachusetts player accused of spitting on opponent

A Massachusetts boys basketball player has been accused of spitting in the face of an opponent during the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) Division 3 state semifinal earlier this week.

The incident allegedly took place after a made shot by a Pittsfield High School junior during the third quarter as Pittsfield trailed Old Rochester Regional, 43-32. A recent story from The Standard-Times detailed the incident and the response by Old Rochester Regional leaders.

Below is an excerpt from The Standard-Times story.

[The Pittsfield player] was called for a technical foul for his response to the alleged incident. No foul was called on the Old Rochester player.

 

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The Old Rochester Regional High School issued a statement confirming the incident and announced the player is no longer a member of the boys basketball team.

“On Tuesday, March 12, Old Rochester Regional High School administration was made aware of an incident during the Division 3 Final Four basketball game on Monday night, March 11, in which an Old Rochester boys varsity basketball player reportedly spit on a Pittsfield High School player,” the statement read. “District administration immediately launched an investigation, which confirmed the incident. … Old Rochester Regional High School has identified the player involved. He is no longer a member of the Old Rochester boys varsity basketball team and has taken responsibility for his actions.”

Old Rochester went on to win the game 82-72 to earn the Bulldogs’ first trip to a state final in nine years. They will face the winner of Wednesday night’s state semifinal between No. 1 Charlestown and No. 4 Taconic at the Tsongas Center in Lowell at a date and time to be determined.

To read the full story from The Standard-Times during the Massachusetts state basketball tournament, click here.