A month later, 4 free throws to decide outcome of controversial Stadium vs. Silas game
A spirited high school boys basketball game between Tacoma schools Stadium and Silas (formerly Wilson) on Dec. 9 ended in a 70-68 Stadium Tigers road win.
Or so it seemed at the time.
The final result isn’t official yet. It’ll be determined this Saturday, Jan. 13 — over a month later — with four free throw attempts. Why? Let’s rewind.
Stadium came out on top when the scoreboard hit zero, but after the buzzer sounded, two Stadium players went to the Silas midcourt logo and stomped on it. Two of the three referees had already left the court, but one remained and saw the stomping transpire.
“I’m not saying it’s the right or wrong thing to do, but I’ve seen much worse after games.” Stadium coach Dominic Batten told The News Tribune over the phone this week.
Both teams went to the locker rooms and as Stadium’s team was getting ready to head to the team bus, the referee told Batten he was assessing a pair of technical fouls to the two players.
In basketball, a technical foul gives the opposing team two free throw attempts and possession of the ball after the free throws. But instead of bringing the teams back onto the floor to allow Silas to shoot four free throws and determine the outcome of the game, the officiating crew called the game.
“It became a hostile environment,” said Silas athletic director Johnny Lee. “It was at a point dealing with egress, people leaving. … The officials did want to take those necessary shots, but it was deemed unsafe because of the amount of people who didn’t need to have input, who were trying to insert themselves into the conversation.”
Lee and Silas coach Eric Overgaard protested the outcome of the game the following day and were successful. While the game had ended and Stadium had won, high school basketball games aren’t officially over until every referee leaves the floor. Stadium appealed the decision but it was upheld. At this point, Batten said he and his team are just ready to move on.
“I still don’t know how to interpret the whole thing,” Batten said. “It’s been so much of a roller coaster.”
Before Saturday’s game at Stadium, Silas will have four free throw attempts. If the Rams make three, they’ll win the December game. If the selected player misses all or only makes one, they’ll lose. If he makes two of the four, the game will go to overtime. After it concludes, the teams will play the regularly scheduled game.
“I’ve never heard of it before,” Batten said. “I’ve never seen it.”
Batten said the two offending players didn’t start for the Tigers in their next game. He also doled out some old-fashioned discipline at practice the following day.
“It was definitely, ‘Let’s get in shape today,’” he said. “We just have to be smarter, we have to be more mature. As you can imagine, kids are going to be kids. … They just got emotional. I’ve seen way worse.”
Lee feels the whole situation is a reminder about sportsmanship, a statewide emphasis this school year.
“The push now for the state is sportsmanship,” he said. “On and off the court, on and off the field, the kids are held to the highest standard. … Us and Stadium have such a huge rivalry. Tensions are high. I think those kids were full of emotion. I hope everyone learns from this situation.”
Silas faces Stadium at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.
This story was originally published January 11, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
