Sometime between the end of the first half of the Class D boys’ basketball District championship game at Northport Friday night and Monday morning, $1,700 turned up missing from Northport Public School.

Northport superintendent Tyrus Wessell said Tuesday the theft was discovered when office staff arrived at work Monday morning. The incident is being investigated by county Sheriff’s deputy Chris Roberts.

"We know it happened sometime after the end of the first half of the game Friday night and Monday morning," he said. money represented gate receipts for the title game between Leland and St. Mary.

Wessell said the cash was held in two different lock boxes, which were handled by several different volunteers and school officials. The incident has shocked the Northport community, he said.

"It took the fun right out of the final. Something like this really makes you not want to host events like this," Wessell said.

Northport athletic director Marshall Collins said the boxes were locked in a school office the last time he saw them. "It’s disappointing, something like this," he said.

Anyone who may might information is asked to call the Sheriff’s department’s anonymous tip line at 256-9829, or the school at 386-5153.