A fight on the court during the Eagles’s conference game against High Point University has led to the suspension of Torcarra Johnson.
By Evi Houston
News Editor
News
Tocarra Johnson, No. 25 on Winthrop University’s women’s basketball team, has been suspended for an altercation during the University’s Big South Conference game against High Point University. The suspension was announced on Feb. 7 by Commissioner Sherika A. Montgomery.
“The Big South Conference, in accordance with its Bylaws on ethical conduct, expects all student-athletes, coaches, athletic department personnel, and Conference staff to uphold the highest standards of ethics, sportsmanship, and integrity at all times,” the Conference’s website shared.
Johnson, a junior psychology major who joined Winthrop University last semester, will be suspended for eight games. This accounts for the remainder of the season, unless Winthrop advances to the final tournament games.
The altercation which led to Johnson’s suspension took place at the Winthrop Coliseum on Feb 4. In the final fifteen seconds of the game, with the Eagles fourteen points below the High Point Panthers, Johnson took multiple blows at High Point player Nevaeh Zavala.
Zavala was standing behind Johnson and wrapping her arms around Johnson’s torso and neck right before the fight, attempting to prevent her from grabbing the ball. Zavala did not retaliate, and referees and players from both teams quickly surrounded Johnson to end the skirmish.
The Winthrop Police Department also responded to the scene and were involved in separating the teams. “The altercation resulted in three Winthrop players and one High Point player being ejected from the game,” according to their report.
What exactly spurred the fight is unknown, but the tension which had been building up throughout a high-stakes conference game may be a factor. The final seconds of the game were likely a culmination of frustration amongst the Eagles and Panthers.
The game ended soon after the fight was addressed, with High Point University taking home the victory and a final score of 88-74.
Winthrop women’s basketball has received an unusual amount of attention from the incident, with reporting from the Washington Post and New York Post among other outlets, as well as posts of the fight on social media.
Before a suspension was officially announced, Commissioner Montgomery issued a statement the day after the game.
“The Big South Conference holds all student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and representatives of institutional interest to the highest standards of ethical conduct and sportsmanship. The events that occurred during the High Point University at Winthrop University women’s basketball contest last night represented a significant departure from those expectations and from the values of the Conference. Unethical conduct — and specifically fighting — will not be tolerated at any level.”
Montgomery continued, “The Big South Conference takes full responsibility for upholding the integrity of its competition and ensuring accountability when standards are not met. I personally apologize to those impacted and remain committed to maintaining an environment rooted in respect, fairness, and sportsmanship.”
Chuck Rey, Athletic Director of the University, declined to comment on the suspension.
