Lady Sharks Basketball Players Involved In On-Court Scuffle At ASA College
Several Miami Dade College women’s basketball players are facing possible disciplinary action after a fight occurred during a game versus ASA College on Feb. 16.
“It was an unfortunate situation that involved a scuffle on the court that subsequently led to some players getting ejected,” said Juan Mendieta, director of communications at MDC, who declined to elaborate further.
The game, which was played at ASA College, was stopped early in the fourth quarter after the teams exchanged punches. It is unclear if any of the punches connected or if anyone one was hurt during the altercation.
Mendieta strongly admonished the lack of security at the game.
“Our student-athletes were put in a very tough situation and a potentially dangerous one, as members of the public left their seats and became involved,” Mendieta said. “There was no public safety presence.”
Miami Dade College was awarded the win, 68-65, in the shortened game, according to the National Junior College Athletic Association website.
Two Miami Dade College players said the fight started after freshman combo guard, Monique Pruitt-Henderson, drove to the basket while attempting a lay-up. According to the players, the defender got tangled with Pruitt-Henderson as both players fell to the floor. The MDC players allege that the player from ASA College then began to throw punches at Pruitt-Henderson, who retaliated.
The Reporter attempted to contact ASA College to obtain their side of the incident but received no response. Athletic Director Kenney Wilcox and ASA College women’s head basketball coach Kevin Johnson did not respond to phone calls, voicemail messages or emails.
Miami Dade College Athletic Director Anthony Fiorenza and head coach Susan Summons declined to comment until the NJCAA releases its findings.
Richard Webster, NJCAA director of marketing and communications, also declined to comment on the incident until the investigation is concluded and didn’t specify a timetable for making the decision.
The incident looms at an unfortunate time for the Lady Sharks, who are 21-8. They have earned one of the state’s top seeds in the Florida College System Activities Association State Tournament. The tournament is scheduled to start the first week of March.
During the team’s most recent game against Broward College on Feb. 20, three players were not on the sideline—Pruitt-Henderson, forward/center Samantha Douglas and star guard Daliyah Brown, who is averaging 20.2 points per game. However, Douglas was honored at halftime during the team’s sophomore night celebration. Brown and Pruitt-Henderson were in the crowd after the game and were seen celebrating the team’s 94-79 win that clinched the Lady Sharks’ second consecutive Southern Conference title.
It is unclear why the players did not dress for the game.
