CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. — The Catawba County school district is reviewing an incident at a high school basketball game where a referee ordered dozens of fans to leave the game.
Moments later, that game was called off ending Bunker Hill High School’s season with a forfeit.
Several parents told Channel 9’s Dave Faherty the ref called multiple technical fouls — even one as students were warming up for the game.
District officials put out a statement Friday saying, in part, that “Catawba County Schools is aware of concerns raised regarding alleged unsportsmanlike behavior. The game included multiple technical fouls; however, no physical altercation occurred.”
Video from right after half-time shows the referee ordering several sections of the crowd on the Bunker Hill side to leave the gymnasium. Then, the game was called off, ending Bunker Hill’s season.
There were sheriff deputies assigned to the game, and they say there were no arrests or criminal violations, but more deputies were called to the school to escort the ref to his car.
Many parents say they were disappointed by how the season ended, including a mother whose senior is on the team.
“It is just really unfair because last night should’ve been about them especially the seniors and even though we cannot get that game back I just want to make sure other teams don’t experience that sort of unfairness,” said parent Kim Parson.
Some parents don’t believe the ref should be allowed to officiate future games.
Parson told Channel 9 what she told her son.
“I actually told him to pray about it,” Parson said. “To try not to let it get to him. At the end of his story, it’s just part of it.”
The school district says it is reviewing the matter in coordination with the appropriate athletic governing bodies and may release more information soon.
VIDEO: Referee arrested after firing concealed weapon inside athletic facility, UCSO says
©2026 Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/LH3JSJEF3VBLRJLJQESEAG34AM.png)
