Charleston, WV —West Virginia High School Basketball Player Faces Felony Charges for Repeated Fouls, Including Breaking Competitor’s Nose…
April 16, 2025 | Charleston, WV — In an unprecedented turn of events on the high school sports scene, a student-athlete from West Virginia is now facing felony charges stemming from a series of excessively violent fouls during a high school basketball game last week.
The 17-year-old player, whose name is being withheld due to juvenile privacy laws, was charged with felony malicious wounding on Monday following a particularly aggressive game between Jefferson High School and Martinsburg High. According to police reports and multiple eyewitness accounts, the teen delivered several hard fouls throughout the game, culminating in a brutal elbow that left a competitor from Martinsburg with a broken nose and a possible concussion.
The incident occurred during the third quarter when, according to video footage and referee statements, the Jefferson player appeared to intentionally strike the opposing athlete in the face while scrambling for a rebound. The injured student collapsed to the court and was later transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. The game was briefly halted as coaches, referees, and school officials intervened.
Martinsburg High School officials said in a statement Tuesday morning that their student is recovering and will likely miss the rest of the season. “This was more than just aggressive play,” said Coach Darren Maxwell of Martinsburg. “This crossed the line into criminal behavior.”
Parents in attendance reported that the accused player had already committed several questionable fouls earlier in the game. One spectator, Amy Riggins, said, “It felt like we were watching something far beyond basketball. There was no regard for safety.”
Authorities were called to the scene after the game, and an investigation was launched. On reviewing the game footage and collecting testimonies from referees, players, and coaches, prosecutors determined that the act met the threshold for felony malicious wounding — a serious charge that carries potential penalties of 1 to 5 years in prison if the teen is tried as an adult.
Jefferson County Schools Superintendent Dr. Karen Walters issued a statement expressing concern over the incident. “While we support competitive athletics and recognize the emotional intensity of sports, we do not condone violence. We are cooperating fully with law enforcement and conducting our own internal review.”
The high school basketball community across the state is expressing shock, with many coaches and players calling for a broader conversation about the role of aggression and sportsmanship in youth athletics.
“This is a tragic situation for everyone involved,” said Bob Granger, a long-time referee and youth sports advocate. “The line between intense competition and dangerous behavior must be clearly drawn — and enforced.”
A court date for the accused player is expected to be set within the coming weeks. In the meantime, he has been suspended indefinitely from all team activities pending the outcome of the legal process.
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