3 Paloma basketball players suspended after postgame fight

Three members of the Paloma Valley High School varsity boys basketball team were suspended for one game and three other Paloma Valley students were suspended from school following a fight after a home game against Temescal Canyon Tuesday night, authorities said.

The incident began just after completion of the game, won by Paloma 50-44, said Candace Reines, deputy superintendent for the Perris Union High School District. Punches were thrown by players from both teams and several fights ensued, including students attending the game, Reines said.

Police responded to a call from the scene, said Sheriff's Deputy Robyn Flores. Three juveniles were treated for scratches and minor injuries but no one was transported to a hospital, she said.

"There was no desire for prosecution, so just a report was taken," Flores said. "No arrests were made."

Ryan Sharp, Paloma Valley athletic director, confirmed that three Wildcat players were suspended for one game. Paloma Valley plays a league game tonight at Rancho Verde, which is 9-0 in league play and 20-4 overall.

Sharp had no other comment on the incident and head coach Craig Anderson did not respond to an email from Menifee 24/7.

Reines said the three players and three other students were suspended from school for either one or two days, "depending on the level of involvement."

"We're disappointed in the lack of sportsmanship and the poor behavior shown by those involved," Reines said.

Mark Dennis, coordinator of community and media relations for the Lake Elsinore Unified School District, responded to Menifee 24/7 with an emailed statement.

"In response to an indefensible altercation following a match between boys basketball teams from Temescal Canyon High School and Paloma, the following actions have been coordinated between site administrators from both high schools," Dennis wrote.

"1. TCHS will suspend one player for instigating, pushing and for fighting with a Paloma player;

"2. Local law enforcement will deal with adults on both sides, including charging a 19-year-old spectator for chasing down and hitting a 14-year-old player from TCHS;

"3. Both TCHS and Paloma administrators are dealing with students involved in unacceptable behavior, up to and including suspensions for other players and students;

"4. TCHS administration is preparing written audience expectations to share prior to our home games;

"5. Administrators and athletic directors from both schools will continue to cooperate in resolving their investigation and any follow-up disciplinary action as a result of this incident."

In a follow-up email, Dennis said, "I would like to emphatically add that both schools are working to ensure nothing like this happens again; that was very clear from the communication between the athletic directors and site administrators."

Deputy Flores had no information on possible charges against an adult. The investigation is continuing.

Because they are juveniles, none of the players or students were named. CIF Southern Section Assistant Commissioner Thom Simmons referred a media inquiry back to the schools involved.

Heading into tonight's game, Paloma Valley is 5-4 in league play and 15-10 overall. Temescal Canyon is 4-6 in league play and 14-10 overall. The Wildcats have two more games next week before the end of the regular season.