The two-day DMV Showcase at Wise High School in Upper Marlboro, Maryland was to highlight two top programs in the DMV area — DeMatha and Gonzaga against prominent national programs — Oak Hill Academy and Sierra Canyon, featuring Bronny James. The main event of the first day pitted DeMatha against Sierra Canyon. Unfortunately, the game got halted during a gun scare in the stands.
DeMatha led the game 52-51 when a fight broke out in the stands. Reports say someone yelled “gun” causing a large panic in the stands with fans rushing for the exits. Players from both teams ran off the court.
Bronny James took to social media to express his emotions about the situation, saying, “high schoolers can’t even hoop in peace now a days.”
Event organizers decided to cancel Sunday’s slate of games.
“Given the incident in the stands tonight during the CBC vs. Stags game at Wise High School, we have canceled Sunday’s event,” Paragon Marketing Group president Rashid Ghazi said in a statement, via Basketball News. “We are making a decision out of the utmost of caution to ensure player and fan safety. Refunds will be available via Go Fan.”
Gonzaga beat Oak Hill by double-digits in the first game Saturday.
The chaotic incident ruined the nightcap between DeMatha and Sierra Canyon. According to Capitol Hoops, the crowd was buzzing and into the close contest. What should have been a great measuring stick for the two WCAC programs gets marred by the unfortunate events in the stands.
