‘Credible safety concerns’ force Hanford basketball teams to forfeit final Chiawana games
Hanford High School basketball teams will forfeit their final games of the season this week against Chiawana High due to “credible safety concerns from a third party,” said a Monday statement.
The move impacts Falcons boy’s and girl’s games set for Monday and Tuesday for varsity, junior varsity, sophomore and freshman teams, according to an announcement from the Pasco School District.
“After discussions with the Richland Police Department, RSD and Hanford High School determined that forfeiting the games was the best course of action to prioritize the safety and well-being of students, staff and spectators,” the announcement read.
“We recognize this may be disappointing for our student-athletes, coaches and families, and we appreciate your understanding as we continue to focus on ensuring a safe and supportive environment for all school events.”
The decision comes after a heated varsity game last week between the boy Bulldogs and Falcons deteriorated into a fight between students and adults with just seconds remaining in the game.
Several student-athletes on both teams were placed on athletic suspension due to their alleged involvement, and a Hanford coach was placed on leave while police investigate what happened.
Some witnesses claim they saw the coach choke a Pasco player during the melee, but the coach’s attorney, Scott Johnson, disputed that, saying the coach was holding the torso of a Bulldog in an attempt to stop him from striking another player.
The incident has divided the two communities, with the local NAACP chapter president Irving Brown Sr. calling it “hatred” and with some Pasco High School parents calling for the discipline of their athletic director.
After the scuffle, both Pasco and Hanford implemented higher safety measures to keep students, families, coaches and spectators safe. That included a higher attendance of school administrators and presence of more safety and security officers.
The Tri-City Herald reached out to Richland Police Department on Monday afternoon for more details on the safety concerns but did not hear back immediately.
This story was originally published February 10, 2025 at 5:41 PM.
