Rec area row leaves youth scratched up

A 13-year-old boy had his face scratched several times by a woman during a dispute at a basketball court on June 1 in Hangzhou, the boy’s mother said. The boy, surnamed Liu, said he went to play basketball at night, but the court was occupied by female seniors in a group dance class. When he tried to shoot baskets, the women would slap the ball away. As Liu went to fetch the ball, one senior cornered him and began hitting and scratching him. Liu’s mother said he struck back in self-defense. No charges were filed and only minor injuries were reported.