BROWN DEER-- A fight that broke out after a high school basketball game on Thursday continues to be investigated by police and the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association.
The incident happened between fans after a playoff girls basketball game between Pius XI and Milwaukee School of Languages. The game was hosted at Brown Deer High School.
When police arrived, officers found several arguing in the parking lot. A 55-year-old Greenfield man was arrested after he pushed a 16-year-old girl during the altercation, according to the Brown Deer Police Department.
“I saw punching, yelling, hollering, screaming,” Yolanda Brazil said.
Brazil, a security professional, is the relative of a Pius XI girls basketball player. She tried to step in to diffuse the rising tensions after the game.
“We were just trying to control the crowd, making sure people were safe,” Brazil said.
She said that her biggest concern was making sure that everyone involved was safe.
“It wasn’t enough event staff there. It wasn’t enough,” she recounted.
Pius XI defeated Milwaukee School of Languages, prompting them to play Pewaukee at Cudahy High School during the Saturday round of the WIAA playoffs.
After the incident on Thursday, extra security measures were taken to ensure safety.
"What we've done is brought in additional police officers. Restricted access to a single point of entry and being assisted by school staff," said Cudahy Police Chief Thomas Poellot.
Pius XI High School released the following statement to families about the incident.
We wanted to follow up on our communication from yesterday regarding the incident that occurred on the evening of March 5, 2020, following the sectional semi-final game between Milwaukee School of Languages and our Lady Popes: You may have seen a news report in which an MSL cheerleader accused a man of allegedly using a racial slur and pushing her. The implication of this allegation is that a Pius XI fan was responsible for the events that unfolded in the parking lot. The incidents of that night as well as the timeline of alleged events are currently being investigated. We are fully cooperating with the Brown Deer Police Department (the game was at Brown Deer High School) as part of an on-going investigation to receive an accurate account of what really occurred that evening. We have been in contact with Milwaukee School of Languages, Brown Deer High School, the WIAA, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and Milwaukee Public Schools, in order to collect as much information as possible to assist in the investigation. Rumors and finger-pointing resolutions have no credibility since this is an ongoing investigation. Because police were contacted immediately when this situation escalated, and the situation remains under investigation by the Brown Deer police, we cannot offer further comment. We trust that the Brown Deer police will complete their investigation thoroughly and accurately. We remain wholly committed to our PiusXI family, to positive sportsmanship, to living our Catholic values and to the safety and security of our students and families. It is unfortunate that so many assumptions and conclusions have been created and determined as fact on social media, since this is an ongoing investigation that has no official conclusion as of yet. Out of respect to an ongoing investigation by officials, please encourage your students to refrain from responding to any of these attempts. However, if you were at the incident that evening, and have statements that would be helpful in the investigation, please send them to me at mostap@piusx.org. For those attending today’s match up of Lady Popes versus Pewaukee High School, please know that we have been in contact with both Pewaukee High School and Cudahy High School (the host school) in order to ensure proper security measures are in place.
The WIAA released the following statement to TMJ4 news.
We have directed all schools involved to investigate and provide a detailed report to the WIAA, including video and witness statements.
At the beginning of our Tournament Series, we sent out a reminder of the WIAA Tournament harassment policy. The WIAA and its member schools hosting events will continue to plan, prepare and supervise the events they host, utilizing the resources necessary; so that kids will be allowed to be safe at a school sport or activity.
The Brown Deer Police Department declined to provide further comment on the matter.
