MPSSAA rules call for suspension of players who left bench during in-game brawl

A brawl broke out during the third quarter for the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA) Class 2A quarter-final which led to potential semifinal suspensions for players who left the bench to join the brawl.

Video showed during the third quarter a Carver Vo-Tech player drove for a layup and was pushed to the ground from behind by a Queen Anne’s player. At the time of the incident, Carver Vo-Tech was leading host Queen Anne’s, 47-15.

A recent story from High School Sports Illustrated detailed the incident and the fallout from the brawl. Below is an excerpt from the High School Sports Illustrated story.

Several Carver players [left] their bench and engage[d] in some pushing and shoving with the Queen Anne’s players. Parents and coaches also came onto the floor to separate the players and order was restored before a full brawl broke out.

The Queen Anne’s County Office of the Sheriff is investigating a fight that broke out this evening during the MPSSAA State Quarterfinal between QACHS and Carver Vo-Tech.

The Lions were trailing the visitors, 47-15, when a hard intentional foul led to a scuffle between both… pic.twitter.com/fFwUbqUeYA

— County Sports Zone (@cszscores) March 9, 2024

After some discussion with both head coaches, the officials called the game at that point and declared Carver the winner. That was the good news for [Carver Vo-Tech]. The bad news is that, per MPSSAA rules, all of the players that left the bench will be suspended and unable to play in the state semifinal contest, on Tuesday at the University of Maryland, with Middletown.

“As of now, the only guys that are able to play are our five that were on the floor,” Carver Vo-Tech head coach Alvin Parker told the Baltimore Sun. Parker also said the school is protesting the decision. The team also has the option to call up junior varsity players to play in the game.

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