March 16, 2016

ST. LOUIS - The Midwest Professional Basketball Association today announced the following disciplinary measures for an incident which occurred during the Friday, March 11 game between the Windy City Groove and St. Louis RiverSharks:

• Sean Dockery, Windy City Groove: 3-game suspension and $250 fine (fighting)
• Handy Johnson, Windy City Groove head coach: $100 fine ($50 technical foul and $50 for failing to follow a higher expectation of conduct for coaches)
• Steve Roper, St. Louis RiverSharks: $25 fine (leaving bench area during altercation but acting as peacemaker)
• Chris Stevenson, St. Louis RiverSharks: $25 fine (leaving bench area during altercation but not engaging/escalating)
• Deshaunt Walker, St. Louis RiverSharks: $25 fine (leaving bench area during altercation but not engaging/escalating)

The incident began when St. Louis' Bruce Massey collided with another player chasing a loose ball in front of the Windy City bench. Massey tumbled into the sidelines, and undercut Groove coach Handy Johnson, sending Johnson to the floor on top of Massey. A video review showed that after Massey stood up, the Groove's Sean Dockery ran in and struck Massey in the face with his left hand and right forearm.

Both benches cleared, but no further aggression took place, as players and coaches from both teams, as well as the game officials, quickly defused the situation. Handy Johnson was assessed a technical foul, and Dockery was ejected from the game.

Per the MPBA Operations Manual, those receiving disciplinary measures will have 48 hours to appeal.