Wilson, Lake City on probation, banned from postseason

The Wilson Tigers will not get the chance to defend their Class 3A state title, nor will the Lake City Panthers get a shot to win their first.

In response to a fight between the two teams following their game on Aug. 28, the South Carolina High School League levied heavy sanctions against Wilson and Lake City on Wednesday.

Players from both teams were suspended, both schools were fined and both varsity programs were placed on probation for a calendar year. Probation means neither team is eligible for a region title, postseason play or to participate in jamborees.

“The actions of both teams are not indicative of the excellent athletic and academic programs of Lake City High School and Wilson High School,” Wilson principal Dr. Gerard Edwards said in a press release. “... This was an unfortunate ending to an otherwise wonderful night of high school football.

“We have worked jointly with the Wilson High School football coaching staff, athletic director and Florence District 1 staff members in order to investigate this fracas, provide proper disciplinary actions and establish guidelines in order to deter future incidents.”

The school districts also came down hard on those players involved in the fight. Several athletes from each school were given additional suspensions. Three athletes have had their eligibility in all sports taken away for the school year and future disciplinary actions could be taken.

“We stress the importance of sportsmanship to our players as well as positively representing Lake City High School and Florence County School District 3,” Lake City football coach Justin Gentry said in a District 3 statement. “Unfortunately, some of our players did not do that last Thursday and they must accept the consequences.”

A spokesman for District 3 said the players who were suspended came as a result of information passed on by game officials and the schools.

Lake City officials interviewed each player individually about their involvement and what they witnessed.

“On the one hand, I’m disappointed that our student-athletes became involved in an altercation,” said District 3 Superintendent Beth M. Wright. “But at the same time, I’m proud of those who were honest and truthful during interviews that were conducted as part of district-led investigation into the incident.”

SCHSL commissioner Jerome Singleton said no video of the incident was available. According to Marlboro County coach Dean Boyd, whose team was involved in a similar incident in 2002, filming is supposed to last through the handshakes at the end of the game.

Lake City and Wilson will play their next games tonight with the suspensions taking effect. A District 3 spokesman said Lake City will probably have to bring up junior varsity players for its game.

Attempts to reach Wilson and Lake City coaches and officials were unsuccessful.

PAYING THE PRICE
A look at the specific penalties handed down to each team:

Wilson Tigers
SCHSL penalties
- All players who left the bench, but did not participate in the fight are suspended for next game
- 15 players suspended for an additional game
- At least two players’ eligibility removed in all sports for remainder of school year
- Varsity football team placed on probation for one calender year, effective Aug. 29 (No postseason play, no region title, no jamborees)
- Wilson High School fined $300 dollars for unsportsmanlike conduct

District 1 penalties
- 10 Wilson athletes suspended
- Four athletes to receive three days of school suspension and an administrative hearing
- Four athletes to serve two-game suspensions
- Three athletes to receive two-quarter game suspension and one day school suspension
- Remaining three athletes to receive one-quarter game suspension and one day school suspension

Lake City Panthers
SCHSL penalties

- Players invovled in incident suspended two games each
- One player’s eligibility in all sports removed for year
- Varsity football team placed on probation for one calender year, effective Aug. 29 (No postseason play, no region title, no jamborees)
- Lake City High School fined

District 3 penalties
- Two players suspended by SCHSL suspended an additional game
- All players invovled to face disciplinary action for violating Student Behavior Code, ranging from overnight suspension to district-level hearings