'They just tased Ryan': Eastern Kentucky middle school basketball game ends in chaos

Everything is just different in the mountains, including middle school basketball. Last night, Emmalena and Carr Creek squared off in the A-Team Championships at Knott County Central High School. The scene at the end was something straight out of a 606 storybook.

Let’s set the scene. Carr Creek led Emmalena 48-30 in the fourth quarter. As Carr Creek was bringing the ball down the court after an Emmalena basket, a fight broke out, causing officials and coaches to intervene. The chaos didn’t end after the players were pulled apart, one with blood pouring down his face. Parents continued the brawl to the point that one man was tased. Based on the announcer’s reaction, it wasn’t the first time it had happened.

“They just tased Ryan,” he said nonchalantly, as Ryan dropped to the floor. “This ball game is over.”

The broadcast quickly ended, but thanks to former Shelby Valley High School girls’ basketball coach Lonnie Rowe, the clip will live on in infamy.

Emmalena and Car Creek county finals. Just another wild night in the mountains pic.twitter.com/Hh7rD2mciY

— Lonnie Rowe (@coachrowe20) January 23, 2026

That wasn’t the only basketbrawl in the mountains this week. There was a fight during the fourth quarter of Belfry at Prestonsburg on Monday night, prompted by an elbow to the head. Play eventually resumed after the benches-clearing brawl, with Belfry winning 67-66.

🏀 HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL 🏀

Expect several suspensions to be handed down from KHSAA after this Belfry @ Prestonsburg game featured this donnybrook

(Credit to @DDSportsNetwork for the recording) pic.twitter.com/E0UZeS4qwe

— Nate Bryan (@NateInSports) January 20, 2026

Basketball in the mountains is not for the faint of heart, even (especially?) at the middle school level.