No IHSA action yet but Harrisburg superintendent angry

No action was forthcoming from the Illinois High School Athletic Association on Monday regarding the events of the Harrisburg-Seton Academy Class 2A boys basketball championship game Saturday at Carver Arena.

The IHSA spoke with administrators from the two schools Monday, said IHSA spokesman Matt Troha. According to Troha, the IHSA Board of Directors will discuss the situation during its regularly scheduled meeting Saturday. "So likely more word next week," Troha said.

The game, won by Harrisburg 50-44, was marred by three technical fouls, including the ejection of Seton's Mark Weems Jr. after getting two of them. Harrisburg's Dakota Upchurch also received a technical foul. After drawing a technical foul for unsportsmanlike conduct, the all-stater was assessed a second technical for making contact with an official.

Harrisburg superintendent Dennis Smith--the former Trico superintendent-- was angered by the press release the IHSA sent out late Saturday night placing blame on both teams.

"Our kid mouthed off and and if the referees see fit to give him a technical, then give him one, that's fair," Smith said. "And our coach got warned to stay in the box. Those were our two infractions. The kid that ran on the floor (to celebrate before the final buzzer) wasn't from our school. Those things don't come close to the level that was displayed from the other side."

Smith sent a release to the Peoria Journal Star--a GateHouse sister newspaper to the Du Quoin Evening Call-- regarding the game. It read, in full: "Harrisburg School District takes strong exception to any implication that the Harrisburg High School state championship team or coaches displayed unsportsmanlike conduct or promoted behaviors counterproductive to fair play and competition.

We were not perfect. What happened on the court could have happened in any of the thousands of games that make up a single high school basketball season. But after careful review, the District is convinced that Harrisburg players, coaches and fans were not part of any behavior that would rise to a public scolding by the IHSA."