Iowa high school basketball player caught on video sucker punching opponent

A 17-year-old Iowa high school basketball player has been charged with a felony after being caught on video sucker-punching an opponent during post-game handshakes. 

The incident happened Tuesday night at Carlisle High School outside of Des Moines, and the victim, as a result, "sustained a loss of consciousness, injuries to his mouth and immediately received medical care," the Carlisle Police Department said. 

"It was determined through the initial investigation that a player of the Carlisle Community School District, without provocation, struck a player of the Nevada Community School District team at the end of the game," the department said in a statement. 

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Police charged the alleged attacker with willful injury – causing serious injury and booked him into a local jail. He has since been released on bond, according to the news station WOI-DT.  

Video of the incident shows one player suddenly punching the victim in the gut before winding up and landing a second blow on his face.  

As the victim begins to fall backward into the arms of a teammate, the aggressor appears to attempt a third punch before players from both sides intervene. 

"It was a very unfortunate and disturbing situation," Nevada Community School District Superintendent Steve Gray told WOI-DT. "Fortunately, it sounds like our student-athlete is going to be alright." 

It was not immediately clear what sparked the punches. 

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"Violent conduct has no place in Iowa high school activities," a spokesperson for the Iowa High School Athletic Association told WOI-DT. "IHSAA administrators are working with both schools to ensure appropriate guidelines are followed for violent behaviors from student-athletes." 

The station reports that the incident took place on the opening night of both teams’ basketball seasons.