Columbus And Aberdeen Coaches Disagree On Why Play Was Suspended At Halftime

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI Sports) – Officials suspended play at halftime of the boys basketball game at Columbus High School Friday night. The referees agreed to call the game between Columbus and Aberdeen before the start of the third quarter, resulting in a 51-19 win for Columbus.

Aberdeen head coach Jaworski Rankin looks toward his players during Friday’s game.

The two teams have different explanations of why the officials decided to end the game.

According to Aberdeen head coach Jaworski Rankin, he met with the officials at midcourt during halftime and they informed him of their decision. Rankin believed the reason the referees called the game was due to their frustration with Columbus head coach Luther Riley and his staff. Rankin said the officials stated to him that they were “tired of Riley” arguing with them and “sick of dealing” with him.

Riley, on the other hand, said he was in the Columbus locker room at the time the decision was made and was not informed of the ruling, returning to the court with his players to warm up for the second half when he realized the game had been called. He stated to WCBI that he was upset at what he perceived to be excessive fouling from Aberdeen. He believed the Bulldogs were fouling in an overly-aggressive manner in an attempt to injure Columbus players.

Columbus head coach Luther Riley calls out to his players Friday night.

“What kind of coach would I be to allow young men to foul excessively?” Riley said. “It was obvious that they were told by their coach to play that way.”

He said he made his views on the matter clear to the officials and also to Rankin and the Aberdeen coaching staff on the opposite bench.

“I have no respect for any coach who does not respect sportsmanship,” Riley said.

Rankin did not believe that his Aberdeen players were attempting to harm their opponents.

“We don’t teach our kids that,” Rankin said of the accusation that his players were fouling excessively.

Riley and the Columbus bench received a technical foul during the game. Riley said it was for leaving the coach’s box while pleading with the officials to protect his players. He stated that he did not know why the officials decided to stop play at halftime.

Both head coaches told WCBI Friday night that they did not want play to be halted and wished the game had continued.

There were no physical altercations between players, coaches or officials.

The MHSAA has not commented on why the officials decided to suspend play.