5 high school sports controversies similar to Deflategate

Mitch Stephens
Updated

USATSI
In the spirit and fire of what's transpiring in the NFL, we present five high school sports controversies that caused an uproar very similar to "deflategate."

In no particular order:

1. Two-year ban from playoffs for no-show at consolation game

Let's start with the one that makes most sense. A raging controversy now flames in Northern California at the school that, coincidentally, produced the NFL megastar at the center of deflategate, Tom Brady.

Serra (San Mateo, Calif. ) football coach Patrick Walsh ruffled more than a few feathers by forfeiting a Central Coast Section consolation football game on Dec. 5 at Milpitas. He says he did it for the safety of his players. On Thursday, the CCS threw down some harsh sanctions against Serra, the most severe was a two-year playoff ban on the perennial Northern California power and a fine of more than $6,000.

Critics of Walsh's decision believe he did wrong by his section and opponent. Backers believe he was looking after his players and made a heart-felt, conscious choice.

2. Girls basketball team wins 161-2

File photo by Gary Jones

Michael Anderson

The score itself says it all. When Arroyo Valley (San Bernardino, Calif.) girls basketball coach Michael Anderson was suspended for two games after coaching his team to a 161-2 win over Bloomington on Jan. 5 some applauded, some said "what gives?"

Anderson said he spoke with Bloomington coach Dale Chung before the game and warned him that his team would be playing hard for "a half of basketball, at least."

Though no 100-plus points blowouts since the controversial win, Arroyo Valley scores have still been pretty lopsided: 80-19, 78-28, 82-20 and 77-28.

3. Softball team DQ'd for taking batting practice before game

Back to Southern California desert we go as a way to pass the time due to an early arrival at a playoff game turned into an early exit from the Southern Section playoffs in California.

As reported by the Desert Sun, Shadow Hills (Indio, Calif.) traveled to Mary Star of the Sea (San Pedro, Calif.) for a second-round Division 6 playoff contest and players passed the time by doing some hitting drills. That violates a section rule, and it led to Shadow Hills having to forfeit a game it won 1-0 on the field, in extra innings.

4. Team kicked out of playoffs for 'Harlem Shake' video

Remember when 'Harlem Shake' videos were a thing? The members of the Nyack-Tappan Zee boys hockey team certainly do, because their controversial version resulted in a ban from postseason play.

5. O.J. Mayo ejected from game for ... something?

Future NBA standout O.J. Mayo of Huntington was ejected from a big showdown game with Capital High before more than 8,000 fans. The fireworks began after a vicious right-hand dunk. Mayo's first technical may have been warranted, but nobody can seem to pinpoint why he received his second, which resulted in ejection.

Throw in a little ref-pushing incident and you've got yourself some serious controversy. Watch the video and judge for yourself.