H.S. Basketball Referee Punches Coach After Verbal Altercation, Arrested

A highschool basketball recreation was a violent brawl over the weekend … when a referee straight-up punched a coach following a verbal altercation — leading to his arrest.

TMZ Sports activities is informed … the incident went down throughout a fall league contest between Arlington and Oak Hills at Santiago Excessive Faculty in Corona, California on Saturday, Oct. 21.

In some unspecified time in the future within the second half, witnesses declare Oak Hills head coach Rob Alexander acquired upset with referee Brandon Knapper over his officiating … and an argument ensued.

In a clip we obtained of the sport, 26-year-old Knapper — a former school basketball participant at West Virginia, Jap Kentucky and Cal State San Bernardino — could be seen approaching Alexander close to Oak Hills’ bench and briefly speaking to him … earlier than unleashing his fist on the coach’s face.

Knapper appeared to land extra punches on Alexander as he fell to the courtroom … earlier than gamers and others in attendance acquired concerned.

We’re informed cops responded to the scene … and Alexander was taken to the hospital. The sport didn’t proceed.

Legislation enforcement tells us Alexander requested prosecution towards Knapper, who turned himself in and was charged with battery inflicting critical bodily damage and assault by means prone to produce nice bodily damage — each felonies.

Knapper was booked within the Riverside County Sheriff’s Division jail on Sunday … and his bail was set at $25,000. He was launched on Wednesday.

Oak Hills’ Hesperia Unified Faculty District launched a press release to TMZ Sports activities … condemning Knapper’s “mindless and shameful” actions.

“The District is grateful for the swift and decisive motion taken by the occasion promoters and native legislation enforcement. We’re additionally glad to report that Coach Alexander is in good spirits and searching ahead to returning to teaching and instructing as quickly as potential.”

“We have now the utmost confidence that legislation enforcement, CIF, and Oak Hills Excessive Faculty, with the help of the District, will examine the incident totally and deal with it appropriately.”