DaytonDailyNews.com

DAYTON — The Dunbar-Aiken boys high school basketball game that was suspended last Saturday, Jan. 3, will be completed in Dayton, with a date likely announced later this week.

Dayton Public Schools Athletic Director Jonas Smith said on Monday that the nonleague game will resume at the start of the second half with Aiken leading, 37-34. He said the restart will likely be in the early afternoon, possibly on a weekend.

School officials suspended last Saturday's varsity game at Dunbar when a fight erupted between the reserve teams. The ruckus was captured on video by the Dayton Daily News while the varsity teams prepared to start their second half.

"Things happened and it's just an unfortunate situation," Smith said.

"You live and learn. We'll do what's right and move forward."

The National Federation of State High School Associations states a game may be terminated before its finish should both teams agree to a final score. However, state bylaws may supersede national rules. The Ohio High School Athletic Association mandates its members to complete suspended games.

The confrontation stemmed from a heated and physical reserve game, which Dunbar won 64-48.

Wolverines reserve coach Albert Powell said security cameras taped an Aiken reserve player who "came up behind a Dunbar (reserve) and round-housed him. In that type of environment, all it takes is a kid over 5 years old to throw a punch and cause a donnybrook."

Like most City League home games, at least four Moonlight Security personnel were at the gym. Also, all spectators and players pass through a metal detector before entering the gym. No Dunbar students have been suspended. Smith said the schools will address the series later.

"We've briefly talked about the future, and we've left it up in the air," Smith said.

"We'll finish this and when we get together again, we'll decide on what's best for the two schools."

Several changes have been made for today when Dunbar hosts Marshall in a much anticipated City League showdown. Unlike the Aiken game, the teams will not crisscross while headed to their respective locker rooms. Also, designated spectator seating will be posted for both teams. And more private security will be in place.

"It turned into one of those unfortunate incidents that you never want to see happen," Powell said. "It caused an impression that's hard to overcome. That's not the kind of thing we want to be known for at Dunbar."

Contact this reporter at 225-2381 or mpendleton@DaytonDailyNews.com.