Long Island HS basketball player, 15, punched by fan, 36, during brawl at game

A Suffolk County man is facing charges stemming from his involvement in a brawl at a high school basketball game. 

In the closing moments of a game between Half Hollow Hills West High School and Comsewogue, a fight broke out between opposing players and led to a spectator running toward the melee before allegedly striking a 15-year-old Comsewogue player. 

The man, identified as Jeffery Vernot, 36, has been charged with third-degree assault and endangering the welfare of a child, according to Newsday. 

In a video of the incident, aired by News 12 Long Island, the fight can be seen breaking out among players on the court as three teens started pushing and shoving each other as the ref tried to squash the situation, prompting other players to run over. 

Coaches, security and spectators could also be seen running toward the brawl when Vernot appeared to engage with a player on Comsewogue, and later in the video, the player seemed to be stumbling around in pain.

The altercation occurred with 44 seconds left in the game and Half Hallow Hills West leading 63-52. Several minutes after the fight was broken up, both teams left the gym without finishing the remainder of the game, Newsday reported. 

Vernot was issued an appearance ticket and he will go before a judge on Jan. 30, News 12 Long Island reported. 

The Comsewogue School District said in a statement to the outlet that it was “deeply disappointed” by the incident and the Half Hollow Hills Central School District said that it “condemns violence” and that it was “cooperating fully” with Suffolk PD’s investigation. 

“We remain committed to implementing appropriate measures to help prevent similar incidents in the future,” John O’Farrell, superintendent of schools, said in a statement. 

Section XI said that the people who violated the policy of fighting and coming off the bench will be supsended two games.