West Virginia High School Basketball Player Faces Felony Charges for Breaking Opponent's Nose

Gage Ketterman, 18, faces felony charges as an adult for breaking an opponent’s nose during a basketball game

An on-court altercation during a high school basketball game in Randolph County has resulted in felony charges against a former Harman High School player. Gage Ketterman, 18, of Bowden, has been charged with one count of malicious assault and two counts of attempted malicious assault following an incident on February 26 during a game between Harman and Union High School.

The incident began when a 17-year-old Union player was elbowed in the face during the game, resulting in a broken nose and extensive bleeding that lasted several hours. The victim’s mother contacted the West Virginia State Police after the game, alleging that the elbow was intentional. She later filed a criminal complaint, stating that “the actions of this boy were obviously intentional, and he was trying to hurt people.”

Ketterman allegedly elbowed the player in the face hard enough to break his nose and cause excessive bleeding for four hours

Video footage of the game was reviewed by authorities and revealed multiple violent actions by Ketterman. In one clip, he can be seen planting both feet on the court, rearing back, and forcefully swinging his elbow directly into the face of the victim. Another clip shows Ketterman swinging his elbow again and striking the back of the same player's head. A third instance reportedly captured him attempting to strike a different Union player in the head with his elbow.

Ketterman was arrested and later released after posting a $12,500 bond. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 22.

The game, which ended in a 72-31 victory for Union, was marked by escalating tensions. Though it is not uncommon for emotions to run high during competitive high school basketball games, physical altercations that result in criminal charges are rare. Typically, referees are tasked with managing player conduct, while police officers in attendance serve in a crowd control capacity.

In this case, however, what would normally be treated as a foul escalated into a criminal matter. The injuries sustained by the Union player required hospitalization, and the video evidence reviewed by investigators led them to conclude the actions were not incidental but deliberate.

The investigation remains ongoing, and Ketterman will face legal proceedings later this spring.