SIKESTON -- The rivalry game between Sikeston and Charleston Friday night was marred with a disturbance in the stands late in the first half.
With 16.2 seconds remaining in the half and Sikeston ahead 45-32, a commotion began in the far stands on the northwest side of the Field House, by the stage. As Sikeston Department of Public Safety officers attempted to remove an unruly fan, several other fans began to make a scene, including the throwing of several objects at the officers.
At that time, DPS officers as well Sikeston and Charleston administrators entered the stands to calm the crowd and a couple arrests were made. Players from both Sikeston and Charleston were sent to the locker rooms, but order was quickly restored and play resumed about 10 to 15 minutes later.
"That was some adversity for both teams and I thought both teams handled it well," said Sikeston coach Gregg Holifield."Coach Farmer and coach Thompson do such a great job and have such a great program, our kids have a ton of respect for their team. Fortunately it's not the players and they handled the situation well and the people in charge here handled the situation well."
The game was played without further incident but as a safety precaution additional law enforcement was called in. The bathrooms and concession stands were closed as well as the front entrance as fans used the emergency exits to leave the Field House. No further information was available at press time.