Highland, Madison mascots and students involved in altercation at boys basketball game

REXBURG — Police had to break up an altercation involving the mascots and fans from Highland and Madison high schools during a boys basketball game at Madison High School on Tuesday night.

The incident occurred between the end of the third quarter and start of the fourth quarter during the boys basketball 5A District 5-6 championship game between Rexburg’s Madison Bobcats and Pocatello’s Highland Rams.

As Madison’s students were taking part in their traditional dance routine on their side of the court, the Highland mascot approached the Madison area and started distracting the fans and Madison’s mascot.

The Madison mascot gave a gentle shove to the Highland mascot and the Highland mascot shoved him back. This prompted several Madison students to leave the bleachers and enter the court. One of the Madison students then shoved the Highland mascot to the ground. This prompted Highland students to spill onto the court and a brief skirmish between students from the two schools ensued.

At this point several Rexburg Police officers entered the court, broke up the fight and ordered the students and mascots back to their sections.

One Madison student appeared to be ushered out of the game by police following the incident but was later allowed to return.

It did not appear that anyone was seriously injured during the altercation.

It was unclear Tuesday night if any of the students involved in the fracas would be the subject of disciplinary action by their respective school districts.

Madison went on to win Tuesday night’s game 62-61.

This article was originally published in the Idaho State Journal. It is used here with permission.