Carver Vo-Tech boys basketball’s Class 2A state quarterfinal game at Queens Anne’s on Friday night was halted after an altercation in the third quarter.
Carver was leading 47-15 with 6:57 left in the quarter at the time of the incident and was awarded the win. The Bears advance to play Middletown in next week’s semifinal round with the date, time and location yet to be determined.
After the referee’s report came out Saturday morning, it was declared that all players who left the Carver bench would be suspended and unable to play the next game, per Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association rules. Queen Anne’s bench players were also cited.
Carver coach Alvin Parker said that “as of now, the only guys that are able to play are our five that were on the floor,” but he added that the team is protesting the decision. The Bears can call up junior varsity players.
A video of the incident shows a Queen Anne’s player shoving a Bears player from behind as he was driving to the basket. A foul was called as the Carver player landed hard on the floor, and a Bears teammate approached the Queen Anne’s player who was called for the foul. The two were face to face before being separated.
Soon after, the video shows players and others from the crowd out on the floor with the referees, security and coaches trying to restore order.
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
The Queen Anne’s County Sherriff’s Office, which was on hand, said in a statement Friday that it is actively investigating the incident and reviewing video surveillance footage. No arrests have been made.
The office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Saturday morning. The MPSSAA also did not immediately respond to an email requesting information on the ruling.
Parker said his team was moving forward with practice at 1 p.m. Saturday as the Bears (19-5) continue their bid to bring home the program’s first state title.
“For us and our season, we believe the 50th law of power and that’s a big part of what our season has been about and that’s something we talk about. The 50th law of power states that where there is chaos and there’s confusion, it’s all important and you can use it to your advantage if you are able to sit down and recognize the underlying cause,” Parker said.
“That’s where we are. There’s chaos, there’s confusion, but opportunity is still knocking so we got to try to focus on that now. We can’t change what’s already happened, but we still have an opportunity. It’s a blessing to be in this position, regardless, to be one of the final four teams.”
The Bears are in the midst of a breakthrough season, which includes a regular-season win over then-defending Class 3A state champion City before knocking out defending Class 2A state champion New Town to win the North Region II title.
On Friday, the Bears got 27 points from star Dorrian Sands and their pressure defense recorded 21 steals before play stopped early in the third quarter. Parker pointed that out that all of his players maintain a 2.5 GPA, which is needed to play on the team.
“We can’t control what others are going to think, what others are going to feel. And we know we’re at a school that’s been painted as a place that’s not the best in Baltimore City,” he said. “We got a lot of stuff that goes on in our community, but that’s why we’re doing what we’re doing. Our school has made a lot of steps in the right direction, but people won’t know that because they don’t come down and see it.”
This story might be updated.