Two high school basketball players in Eastern Washington came under criticism this week after a video of them fouling opposing players went viral on YouTube.

The Tri-City Herald explains:

Michael Christenson of Yakima said he was only trying to illustrate a point to a small group of Highland High School students and parents about the need for better basketball officials.

 

To his surprise and dismay, however, the video he uploaded of several hard fouls during the Cowiche school's boys game at Connell on Dec. 22 has gone viral, collecting more than 25,000 hits since the video was posted on YouTube on Dec. 28.

 

The video, which is just over 5 minutes long, showcases two imposing Connell players -- seniors Cole Vanderbilt and Kennan VanHollebeke -- committing six personal fouls during a 38-37 home win over the Scots.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6v-bW6wxoY

The video was picked up by guyism.com, and later Deadspin, both of which ran the video under a headline that accused Vanderbilt and VanHellebeke of playing "dirty." As of Friday, the video had logged more than 30,000 views.

Connell’s coach and Vanderbilt’s grandmother spoke out in defense of the players.

Additionally, an official with the Tri-Cities Sports Officials Association told the Herald that Christienson’s claim about bad officiating was off.

"There were no problems and no fights,” David Pierce told the Herald. “It's getting painted as flagrant fouls or intentional fouls, but it doesn't have anything to do with that. The guy took a camera and jaded it. He didn't show the whole game. He showed six plays."

The Washington Interscholastic Athletics Association, which oversees rules and regulations for high school athletics in the state, released the following statement with regard to the observed fouls in the video: "The WIAA is currently working with the schools, officials and Washington Officials Association on the situation. The WIAA has the utmost concern for the safety of the student-athletes and the welfare of the game."