CCPD, school officials investigating altercation at Cove vs. Heights basketball game

By TJ MAXWELL
Cove Leader-Press

For the second-consecutive game, the basketball action on the hardcourt led to physical altercations. 
Last Friday, the grievances poured out into the parking lot between spectators after the Bulldawgs’ close 70-67 win over Shoemaker. On Tuesday, the altercation occurred on the court with just under five minutes remaining in the contest between the Bulldawgs and No. 13 Harker Heights Knights.
The brawl that ended up in the hallway to the locker rooms forced the cancellation of the game with 4:49 left in the contest and declared Harker Heights the winner with a 64-39 final score.
The altercation was listed in the Copperas Cove Police Department blotter as a “public affray” at 8:40 p.m. Tuesday evening.
An investigation is underway by the Copperas Cove Police Department and the findings will be sent to the governing body of Texas high school athletics University Interscholastic League (UIL) for any additional penalties or suspensions.
“The investigation is ongoing, so I am unable to answer most of your questions,” said Copperas Cove Police Capt. Gabriel Cardona via email.  “We are in the process of identifying those involved and to what extent, in order to determine the appropriate charge(s) to file.  We are aware of at least one person who was injured.  
“The ISD has been utilizing the Coryell County Sheriff’s Office for security; we were not requested by the ISD for additional support.  Any future considerations involving security at basketball games would be at the discretion of the ISD and if requested, the police department would fulfill that request.”
Wendy Sledd, Director of Communications for CCISD, confirmed the district is looking into the matter.
“The matter is being investigated and findings will be submitted to the University Interscholastic League,” she said.
A video posted on the Copperas Cove Hot Topics Facebook page shows the incident leave the court and enter the locker room are where it appeared to continue as fans poured from the stands. The video appears to show several Harker Heights players and one Copperas Cove player tussling on the way to the hallway as others became involved in the affray as officers from the Coryell County Sheriff’s and school officials attempted to break up the altercation.
The Bulldawgs (2-4 in District 12-6A) are slated to return to action tonight at Killeen High School for the first of three road games against Killeen (0-6), Temple (2-4), and Ellison (3-3), respectively. They return home to face Belton (5-1) on Friday Feb. 1.
The Lady Dawgs (3-5 in district) will host the Killeen Lady Roos (3-5) for Teacher Appreciation night tonight. The Lady Dawgs lost a close one in Killeen in round one.