Unbeknownst to them at the time, the Ben Davis and Pike High School basketball teams played their final games of the season on Saturday after the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) cancelled the remainder of their seasons as discipline for a fight that broke out during the game.

It's hard to tell from the video above, however CBS 4 TV in Indianapolis reports the altercation began after what was perceived to be a hard foul by one team's player on an opposing player.

In addition to the cancellation of both team's seasons, the IHSAA has also barred the team from participation in next month's state tournament, required coaches from both teams (paid and voluntarily) to participate in an online Teaching and Modeling Behavior course, as well as required each student‐athlete, varsity or junior varsity, present at this contest from both schools shall complete on online Sportsmanship course. Any student-athlete failing to do so will be ineligible for any interscholastic participation until the course is completed.

Finally, both the Ben Davis and Pike programs have been placed on probation for the entire 2016-17 school year. If another violation such as Saturday's brawl takes place under the probation, severe consequences for those actions would be handed down which could include an entire school suspension of membership from the Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc.

Personally, I applaud the IHSAA for taking these measures. I understand that emotions run high during sporting events between players, coaches, and fans. Altercations will happen, and individuals involved in those altercations should be separated as soon as possible, then disciplined accordingly, whether that's a fine or suspension. However, when benches clear and fans come down from the stands, it prevents a safety risk for those in attendance whether they are directly involved in the event or not. It's important for the governing body send a clear message that pandemonium will not be tolerated. Hopefully other schools will take notice.

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