Charges considered for teens involved in tournament brawl

NEW MADRID, Mo. - For the second time in as many years, violence occurred at a high school basketball tournament.

Criminal charges are considered as a result.

A call placed by a Delta Dunklin Democrat reporter to New Madrid County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Patton's office confirmed that information Thursday.

“Those charges are under review,” an office representative said. “I'm uncertain by exactly who.

“We have the prosecutor and two assistants here,” the rep added. “So any of them could.”

Three teens aged 15 to 19 are being considered, according to reports.

On Friday, Dec. 6, a fight broke out at the The Gideon High School Bulldog Classic during halftime of the Kennett High School Indians and Hayti High School Indians game.

A small group of teenagers entered the lobby after buying tickets and attacked members of South Pemiscot High School Boys Basketball team, which resulted in escalated violence and what is best described as a “brawl.”

The dust up broke out in the Bulldog gym lobby, according to reports.

In 2023, a similar incident occurred in the gym lobby among visiting teams' spectators and students. One was injured and there were no charges filed, but at least one school was banned temporarily from sports action by MSHSAA. The vintage Bulldog trophy case was damaged during that scuffle.

This is a developing story.