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Patrick Henry H.S. B-Ball Team Forfeits Game After Melee

By Lindsey Seavert, WCCO-TV

COLUMBIA HEIGHTS (WCCO) -- The Patrick Henry High School boys basketball team had to forfeit a sectional playoff game Thursday night due to violence on the court.

According to Columbia Heights boys basketball coach Willie Braziel, with 10 minutes left in the game, his team was about 25 points ahead when a Patrick Henry player, Jeff Bright, fouled their top scorer Zach Lofton, who had scored about 30 points so far in the game.

Braziel said Bright lost his cool and was kicking and punching Lofton. A minor melee broke out and parents and students rushed the court.

The coaches soon broke up the fight and Patrick Henry's coach Jerry Williams Junior decided to forfeit the game.

Junior told WCCO-TV that "Bright is a good student and mild-mannered player who is highly regarded, but lost control after a play." He also said the referees let it get it get out of hand.

Final score in game was 67-42 Columbia Heights. They will play in the semi-finals on Tuesday.

It is unknown if Bright will be punished for the incident. No arrests were made.

Lofton is said to be OK with a cut above his eye.

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