Two Grand Forks Red River boys basketball players will be punished for their roles in damaging a locker room in Wahpeton on Tuesday night, school principal Kris Arason said today.
One player will miss half of a game and the other will miss a full game. The suspensions will take place during Tuesday's first round of the East Region tournament. No. 1 seed Red River will play the winner of Saturday's play-in game between Fargo North and Devils Lake.
The players were not identified because of FERPA (Family Education Rights & Privacy Act) rules, Arason said.
Red River issued a statement today, saying both players have written letters of apology to Wahpeton boys basketball coach Jeff Ralph, Wahpeton athletic director Mike McCall and Wahpeton principal Clark Gripentrog.
The two players also will pay for any damages, the release said.
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"We hold our student-athletes to high standards both on and off the court," Arason and Red River boys basketball coach Jason Gregory said through the release. "Unfortunately, sometimes young adults make mistakes and it's our responsibility to hold them accountable for their actions and make sure the consequences are appropriate and fair."
The incident occurred following Wahpeton's 62-61 win over Red River. Wahpeton defeated previously unbeaten Red River on a last-second 3-pointer.
On Wednesday, Wahpeton Superintendent Rick Jacobson called the incident a "black mark" on Red River.
Jacobson said the locker room damage included a light fixture, a hand railing in the shower and other damage.
Miller reports on sports. Reach him at (701) 780-1121; (800) 477-6572, ext. 121; or send e-mail to tmiller@gfherald.com .
