CCPD report provides details from brawl at high school basketball game
A fight that broke out during a high school pre-season basketball scrimmage last Wednesday evening at a Cape Coral high school was captured on camera and led to at least two unpleasant outcomes — am injured coach transported to the hospital and one arrest — with more possibly coming.
Video from the stands of Mariner High School’s gymnasium shows a large scrum with punches being thrown and eventually, Ida Baker head basketball coach Todd Stowe being struck to the floor.
Stowe, who told The Breeze he is suffering from a concussion and bruised ribs said, “I’m battered and bruised, but I’m OK.”
Cape Coral Police Department officials were called and ultimately arrested David Church, 46.
The game was between Ida Baker High School and Dunbar High School’s basketball teams.
According to CCPD’s report, the responding officer walked into the gym to a “chaotic scene” involving students, parents, coaches and players.
A referee told police he called a foul and when he went to the scorer’s table to report the infraction, he turned around to see a physical altercation involving both teams and coaches. The referee said he saw Church come out of the stands and strike Stowe, the police report states.
The officer said he talked to some of the players, who stated the incident took place towards the end of the game and was due to what one team thought were unnecessary fouls to prolong the game.
The report states that one player (unclear from which team) head-butted and punched another player and things quickly escalated.
Stowe was attempting to break up the fight when he was blindsided by a punch. Two years ago, the head coach suffered a stroke and is on blood thinners, and stated the situation could have been much more severe.
“I got a concussion from the cheap shot so I have that lingering headache, but I’m lucky it wasn’t worse,” Stowe said. “The bruised ribs when I fell are worse.”
A statement from School District of Lee County spokesperson Rob Spicker said, “The boys’ basketball teams from Ida Baker High School and Dunbar High School were participating in a pre-season practice session. Security at practices is provided by the team’s coaching staff. Additional security was provided by the certified referees hired to work the scrimmages. We appreciate the quick response and actions taken by the Cape Coral Police Department. Any players involved will be disciplined per the Student Code of Conduct.”
CCPD arrested Church for battery with intention to cause bodily harm. The report states that Lee County Jail is “not accepting arrestees due to Covid mitigation.”
Church was issued a notice to appear and released.
— Connect with Associate Sports Editor CJ Haddad on Twitter: @haddad_cj
To reach CJ HADDAD , please email cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com