A Masury man, who had pleaded guilty to assaulting a sports official last winter, was sentenced Friday to 15 months' probation.

Nathan L. Sample, 19, of 686 Hazelton St., also must undergo anger management courses and take a special class for parents who attend sports games.

He was sentenced by Mercer County Common Pleas Judge Thomas R. Dobson.

According to police, Sample attended a sixth-grade basketball game Feb. 23 between St. Joseph's School, Sharon, and Brookfield. During the game, Sample went on the floor, argued with an official, grabbed him and shoved him into the stands.

At the sentencing hearing, Dobson asked Sample to explain his actions.

"Other parents were mad," Sample said.

"You are supposed to cheer for these kids," Dobson told Sample. "This is not professional basketball. These are sixth-graders. You should just keep your mouth shut."

Dobson told Sample he should have realized the destructiveness of his actions. "What are these kids supposed to think?" You should have known better."

As part of the sentence, Dobson ordered Sample to write letters of apology to each of the students and coaches on the two teams, and also to the sports officials involved.

"And they had better be good letters," Dobson said, adding that the letters must be submitted to the court for approval.

Sample also must perform 500 hours of community service.