By Mike Schoeffel
Caroline and James Monroe, two of the area’s best high school basketball teams, were locked in a tight game at James Monroe High School on Jan. 16.
James Monroe was leading 69-67. Yellow Jackets’ head coach, Carlos Evans, called the energy in the gym “electric.” But the highly-competitive game was starkly interrupted with 2:40 left in overtime, when two men in the visitors’ stands began throwing punches at one another.
“My first response was to make sure the players went to the bench,” said Evans. “I laid eyes on my family and my coaches’ families and I let our administration, athletic directors, and police officers restore order.”
The melee was under control within seconds, as security and numerous individuals in that section of the bleachers helped separate the two feuding men.
In the moments following the brawl, fans were ordered to exit the gym. Most people spent the break waiting in the lobby, while players and coaches retired to their respective locker rooms.
At some point during the delay, Travon Kymonte Goodall, a 19-year old Caroline resident, ran from the school and was arrested by Fredericksburg police officer Melanie Schafer on Washington Avenue, directly across the street from the school.
Goodall was charged with possessing a gun on school property and carrying a concealed weapon. Goodall already has one concealed weapons charge on his record, according to Fredericksburg Police Department spokeswoman Aimee Lynch.
It’s unclear if Goodall was involved in the fight. It’s also unclear what prompted the two men to strike one another.
“All of that is still being investigated,” said Lynch.
Lynch confirmed that Goodall was the only person arrested in the wake of the altercation. She added that “more people could potentially face charges” as the investigation progresses.
The teams were held in the locker room — and the fans in the lobby — for approximately 30 minutes. All fans were directed by school officials to sit in the home bleachers upon re-entering the gym.
Evans said the electric atmosphere that was present for much of the game was completely gone when play resumed.
“Unfortunately, I felt as though Caroline came out flat….after the altercation,” he said.
James Monroe went on to win, 80-72.
Evans hopes that what appears to be an isolated incident will not deter fans from attending games at James Monroe and Caroline in the future.
“This incident is not a representation of our teams nor our schools,” said Evans. “I just hope people continue to come out and support both teams, because we represent our respective communities well.”
According to a statement released by James Monroe High School principal Taneshia H. Rachal, “no James Monroe students, athletes, or fans were involved in this altercation.” In an email interview, she said the school is having “ongoing discussions” with the Fredericksburg City Police Department about the issue of security.
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