Fan shoves referee at Kalaheo vs. Kaiser game

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

KAILUA — Another confrontation involving a high school basketball referee — this time with a fan going onto the court to shove him from behind — marred last night's Kaiser-Kalaheo girls game at Kalaheo Gym.

The incident occurred during a play stoppage with 4:56 remaining in the third period, several minutes after Kalaheo guard Shantel Marumoto took a hard fall and lay motionless beyond the baseline after missing a layup.

While Marumoto was being attended to and with only the three referees standing at midcourt, a male fan came down from the bleachers and pushed one of the referees from behind. The referee lost his balance but did not fall, and the fan was quickly restrained by another fan although he continued to yell at the referee and tried again to confront him.

A special duty police officer then escorted the fan off the court and eventually out of the gym. No arrest was made.

Marumoto was taken to Castle Medical Center with a back injury and Kalaheo coach Chico Furtado said after the game, "They did X-rays and she seems to be OK."

The game finally resumed after additional police arrived — some 40 minutes after the original stoppage.

Kalaheo won, 72-57.

Last night's incident comes two months after one involving a Konawaena boys player attacking a referee.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2456.