The story really bothered me on first reading, and not because of the blowout. Now I realize they're trying to bring "Christian thinking" and "The Golden Rule" in this. But I don't buy it. The concept of The Golden Rule is to do unto others as you would have them do unto you. If I'm being blown out in a relatively safe venue where rules are being followed, then from my standpoint you are disrespecting me by not bringing your best to the table. Meanwhile if I'm the winning coach, I'm thinking of the "overwhelming force" mantra of Lao Tzu, and I'm trying to find a way to challenge my players constantly to be at their best.
I got to thinking how one could similarly display incredible dominance without a display of unsportsmanlike conduct. If there was a shot clock, then maybe you practice hitting the rim WITHOUT scoring for most of the game, get your rebound, and keep the ball going in your possession. A 10-0 victory done in this fashion would be even more impressive, and would demonstrate a desire not to build up personal stats. Except maybe for rebounding, of course...
Back in the 1970s, Bob Campbell entered the All Okinawa Championships and made it all the way to the finals. As told to me by David Finkelstein and also by Bob Campbell... Bob was dominating a well-known martial artist, but didn't want to dishonor him. So what did he do? He repeatedly swept and dumped the guy, but didn't follow through with an ippon. After about a minute of this, some began to see the method to his madness. As the story was told to me, Takamiyagi Sensei (the referee) started yelling at Bob to finish the execution with a strike. And Bob's answer? "He knows I got him!" The world knows one score to that match; those who were there saw another story altogether. All egos were kept intact. That's one way to dominate - with class.
Or maybe not. Can Bob be criticized for insulting his competitor? I guess you can take whatever view you want to bring to the table.
- Bill
- Sports IllustratedDallas school apologizes for 100-0 win, will seek to forfeit victory
DALLAS (AP) -- A Texas high school girls basketball team on the winning end of a 100-0 game has a case of blowout remorse.
Now officials from the winning school say they are trying to do the right thing by seeking a forfeit and apologizing for the margin of victory.
In a statement Thursday on The Covenant School's Web site, the head of school said, "It is shameful and an embarrassment that this happened." He went on to say that Covenant has made "a formal request to forfeit the game recognizing that a victory without honor is a great loss."
Last week Covenant, a private Christian school in Dallas, defeated Dallas Academy 100-0. Covenant was up 59-0 at halftime.
A parent who attended the game told The Associated Press that Covenant continued to make 3-pointers -- even in the fourth quarter. She praised the Covenant players but said spectators and an assistant coach were cheering wildly as their team edged closer to 100 points.
"I think the bad judgment was in the full-court press and the 3-point shots," said Renee Peloza, whose daughter plays for Dallas Academy. "At some point, they should have backed off."
Dallas Academy coach Jeremy Civello told The Dallas Morning News that the game turned into a "layup drill," with the opposing team's guards waiting to steal the ball and drive to the basket. Covenant scored 12 points in the fourth quarter and "finally eased up when they got to 100 with about four minutes left," he said.
Dallas Academy has eight girls on its varsity team and about 20 girls in its high school. It is winless over the last four seasons. The academy boasts of its small class sizes and specializes in teaching students struggling with "learning differences," such as short attention spans or dyslexia.
There is no mercy rule in girls basketball that shortens the game or permits the clock to continue running when scores become lopsided. There is, however, "a golden rule" that should have applied in this contest, said Edd Burleson, the director of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools. Both schools are members of this association, which oversees private school athletics in Texas.
"On a personal note, I told the coach of the losing team how much I admire their girls for continuing to compete against all odds," Burleson said. "They showed much more character than the coach that allowed that score to get out of hand. It's up to the coach to control the outcome."
Covenant coach Micah Grimes and head of school Kyle Queal did not immediately respond to messages left by The Associated Press on Thursday.
In the statement on the Covenant Web site, Queal said the game "does not reflect a Christ-like and honorable approach to competition. We humbly apologize for our actions and seek the forgiveness of Dallas Academy, TAPPS and our community."
Queal said school officials met with Dallas Academy officials to apologize and praised "each member of the Dallas Academy Varsity Girls Basketball team for their strength, composure and fortitude in a game in which they clearly emerged the winner." Civello said he appreciated the gesture and has accepted the apology "with no ill feelings."
At a shootaround Thursday, several Dallas Academy players said they were frustrated during the game but felt it was a learning opportunity. They also said they are excited about some of the attention they are receiving from the loss, including an invitation from Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban to see an NBA game from his suite.
"Even if you are losing, you might as well keep playing," said Shelby Hyatt, a freshman on the team. "Keep trying, and it's going to be OK."
Peloza said the coach and other parents praised the Dallas Academy girls afterward for limiting Covenant to 12 points in the fourth quarter. She added that neither her daughter nor her teammates seemed to dwell on the loss.
"Somewhere during that game they got caught up in the moment," Peloza said of the Covenant players, fans and coaches. "Our girls just moved on. That's the happy part of the story."
