A time out has been called for the 2002-03 school year in the long-standing rivalry between Sharon and Farrell in boys basketball and football, according to Sharon City School officials.

The decision to suspend games between the two schools was revealed at a Sharon school board meeting Wednesday.

Questions about the future of games between the two schools came up after a melee broke out at a Feb. 2 Sharon-Farrell basketball game. Sharon school Director Dominick Russo said he's received a number of phone calls from people curious about the fate of the rivalry.

The two schools were scheduled to play each other in the first game of the 2002 football season.

Superintendent Richard A. Rossi said that football game and boys basketball games won't be played next season. Decisions about other sports in which the two teams may meet have not been made, Rossi said.

The decision to cancel the games stems from a meeting been Sharon and Farrell city and school officials and police days after the brawl in Sharon's gymnasium, Rossi said. Rossi said the "tone of the meeting" was to not to play the games.

Rossi said he doesn't know how long the rivalry will be on hold.

Director Kathy Hall said she wished the board had been informed of the decision.

Farrell Area School Director Larry Manilla said he and his fellow board members received written notice that the games would be canceled.

Manilla said no one argued about the cancellation of the games. "It seemed like -- well after that last fiasco -- maybe not a bad idea."

Sixteen people were treated at local hospitals after the fight, which police said was mostly limited to juveniles. So far only Jesse J. "J.J." Wilson, 20, of 709 Sherman Ave., Sharon, has been charged in the fight. Sharon police said they've turned part of the on-going investigation over to the Mercer County District Attorney's office. No juveniles have been charged yet, police said.

Mrs. Hall asked Rossi if any decisions have been made regarding the seating arrangement in Sharon's gym. Traditionally, home and visiting students sit next to each other in the gym. Some say that proximity led to the brawl.

Sharon Director Richard Mancino, who is also a member of the athletic committee, said the committee is in the process of interviewing athletic director candidates to replace Jim Wildman, who is retiring at the end of the school year.

Mancino said after a new director is chosen, decisions about seating will be made. He said the committee would like to have the input of the new director. Rossi said he thinks the decision to cancel the games was in everyone's "best interest right now."

According to Herald files the football series between Sharon and Farrell began in 1922 and was played almost every year until 1993. The schools didn't meet again until 1999.

The boys basketball teams played more regularly than the football teams, meeting on the court twice a season.