The IHSA has reversed their ruling on the Herrin-Benton game that took place on Friday, January 27th. Tuesday morning it was announced that the IHSA Board of Directors decided that instead of ruling the game a Double Forfeit, after the game ended with 57.7 seconds left in overtime due to a scrum breaking out, the game would be ruled a No Contest.
A Benton player pushed a Herrin player at 57.7 seconds remaining in overtime, with Herrin leading at Benton 60-52. That led to a benches-clearing incident and punches were seen thrown on the court. There were four ejections in total before the game was called and Herrin was initially informed they had won the game.
Last week that changed when IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson announced he was ruling the contest a Double Forfeit.
Tuesday morning things changed again with the game being ruled instead a No Contest. Additionally, both Herrin coach Sayler Shurtz and Benton coach Ron Winemiller were suspended for one game.
Winemiller will serve his suspension Tuesday night when the Rangers head to Du Quoin. Shurtz will serve his suspension on Friday when the Tigers host Massac County
Below is the statement from the IHSA on their decision:
“The Board heard an appeal from Herrin High School on the Executive Director’s decision to rule a varsity boys basketball game between Benton High School and Herrin High School on Friday, January 27, 2023, a double forfeit. The final 57.7 seconds of the game were not completed due to an unsportsmanlike act by a Benton player late in the contest that led to players from both teams engaging in physical altercations and leaving their respective benches. After the officials issued multiple ejections, a dispute between the coaches led the officials to call the game off. The Executive Director believed the dispute between the coaches prevented the game from being completed. The Board has modified the Executive Director’s decision and ruled the game to be no contest. The game will not count toward IHsA State Series seeding. Additionally, the Board ruled that the head coach of each team will be required to sit out their next varsity contest.”
