Fight brings two arrests

Because tensions at Rancho High School remained high after a lunchtime fight in the cafeteria, school officials canceled a Friday night basketball game rather than risk another confrontation between students.

No one was injured, but two students were arrested on charges related to fighting and causing a disturbance, officials said.

The cause of the fight was not immediately known. School officials said it was lunchroom altercation that got out of hand.

"It was a food fight with a lot of people standing around watching," said Robert Chesto, the principal of Rancho High School, at the intersection of North Bruce Street and Eastern Owens Avenue.

About 300 students were in the lunchroom at the time, school police Capt. James Ketsaa estimated.

Because students would not disperse, a campus police officer used pepper spray to break up the crowd and gain control of the cafeteria, Chesto said. Students were immediately treated for the pepper spray, the principal added.

Las Vegas police officers also arrived to help keep the peace and ensure an orderly dismissal, Chesto said.

A Las Vegas police helicopter hovered in the air to make sure "everybody got home safe," Chesto said.

The principal said police advised him to cancel the boys' basketball game with Canyon Springs High School.

"It was the Friday the 13th and Valentine's Day, and emotions were just running high," the principal explained.