A New Jersey high school girls basketball team failed to take the court Thursday for a scheduled home game against a division rival, leaving the visiting team, referees and even the home team’s administrators and fans waiting for a game that never tipped off.
Bayonne’s bus arrived in Jersey City at 3:45 for its 4:30 p.m. tip against division rival Snyder. Bayonne coach James Turner put his team through the usual pregame warmups, with a layup drill, clapping and high-fives. Fans were arriving, the scoring table was set up, Snyder staff had the gym ready and the refs showed up at 4:20. The gym was buzzing.
The only thing missing was the home team. Snyder’s players never appeared.
“The game was on. Everybody was there for gameday,” Turner said. “The AD was mopping, sweeping the floor, the principal was there. Game day staff were setting up. The assistant coach was there. The girls didn’t show up.”
The no-show marked an unprecedented occurrence in Turner’s 19-year coaching career.
The referees eventually signed the scorebook and left around 5 p.m., Turner said.
“Never in my history of playing, coaching, spectating,” Turner said. “Nothing. I never saw something like this.” Turner said he never got any notice from Snyder that the game wouldn’t take place.
Snyder Athletic Director Sean Fallon declined to explain why the girls did not take the court, but indicated the game would likely be recorded as a forfeit.
The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association said Friday it is aware of the situation and awaiting the results of an investigation by the conference.
The no-show comes two days after Snyder head coach Reggie Quinn was suspended indefinitely following a sideline incident at Snyder’s 57-47 loss to Hudson Catholic on Tuesday. Assistant coach Dennis DiMascio was designated to lead the team in Quinn’s absence, according to Fallon.
The specific reason for Quinn’s suspension has not been disclosed. Officials from both schools characterized the Tuesday incident as a spectator issue involving fans positioned near the court, though video of the game does not clearly show what prompted the controversy or led to Quinn’s suspension.
Quinn has not responded to multiple requests for comment.
“It’s an unfortunate situation for our girls,” Fallon said Thursday, declining further comment on the no-show.
Fallon said Saturday’s game will proceed as scheduled, with 10-5 Snyder visiting 9-14 Union City for an 11 a.m. tip.
“The girls will be back on the court on Saturday,” Fallon said Friday.
Jason Bernstein contributed to this article.
