There was an incident during the Thursday, February 14 game when the Pickett County Lady Bobcats were playing a district game against Clay County in Sparta. It was reported that not only did Coach Brent Smith get ejected, but so did several individuals from the Pickett County crowd. This newspaper contacted the TSSAA to find out more information on what allegedly occurred during that game.

The question was asked if a whole section of Pickett County people were thrown out and what created such a severe reaction from TSSAA staff during the game.

Associate Executive Director Matthew Gillespie responded by clarifying that if anyone was thrown out, it would not be by TSSAA staff. “That would have been by a referee or as stated below, a sheriff,” said Gillespie.

The official’s TSSAA report stated as follows: two unsporting technicals were assessed to Pickett’s Head Coach in the third quarter. He was ejected. One unsporting technical was assessed to #1 for Pickett County in the third quarter. A Pickett County fan was also ejected by a Pickett County Sheriff’s Deputy in the third quarter for foul language.

While the report only states that one person was ejected, it appears that an attempt was made by the referee to eject a section of Pickett County fans.

Pickett County Sheriff Dana Dowdy reported to the PRESS that SRO Keith Smith was at the game for Pickett County High School. According to Officer Smith, at some point, a female referee wanted to eject the whole Pickett County section. After a discussion involving members of law enforcement, various school officials, and the referee who made the request, an individual in the Pickett County crowd was questioned by school officials. That individual admitted to using foul language and said she would leave and did so without incident.

Several people from Pickett County also walked out due to the situation during the third quarter.

TSSAA regulations require that if a player or coach receives two technicals during a game they will be ejected and must sit out two games.

Coach Smith was unable to coach last Monday night’s district tournament game against Trousdale County, and also in the first round of the regional tournament against Van Buren County last Friday.