Leading off today: Trouble reared its head last night during the boys basketball game between Owego and host Elmira Southside, with players and fans tossed out following an altercation late in the third quarter.
Mike Backer scored 21 points and Zack Ross added for Southside during a 78-43 romp in the Section 4 Class A semifinal.
The fracas broke out with 24.6 seconds left in the third quarter after players exchanged heated words. While officials and coaches tried to diffuse the situation, several dozen fans rushed onto the court and verbally sparred, The Star-Gazette reported. Order was restored after several minutes, with several fans thrown out and two players from each team ejected.
Police were called to the gym but did not arrive before order had been restored.
Latest McKinley case twist: The former volunteer coach for the McKinley girls basketball team was forced to leave the school gym Thursday after being told that Principal Crystal Barton did not want her at the Section 6 playoff game.
Michelle Stiles initially was denied entrance by a guard, who told her the decision came from Dave Thomas, the Buffalo Public Schools AD. Thomas then relented, telling the guard that Stiles could stay if she did not talk to the McKinley players or coach.
Stiles entered the gym with her attorney, Richard Sullivan, to watch the game against Williamsville South, and they sat in the visitors seating area.
At halftime, a Buffalo police officer asked Stiles to step
