Sportsmanship!!

[Silviya]

It's highschool sports, does it really matter either way?

[Talus]

There should be some kind of mercy rule at half time, like a lot of softball leagues have, i.e. "slaughter/mercy rule" where if you're up by x runs the game is over. Realistically, if you're down by over 50 points at half, call it a day and award the win to the winning team, save the losers the embarrassment.

[Woozie]

personally i don't see anything wrong with it and if i were a player i wouldn't let up. not in high school.

If any of the girls on that team aspire to play in college the college they apply to and hope for a scholarship is going to go off their statistics not whether they let other teams do well in a blowout.

It's the fault of the team that sucks for putting their players in that position. If you have that little of a pool to select from you should do intramural sports and things if you wanna learn teamwork and whatnot. Varsity sports are for people who want to progress in that sport to college or at least experience high levels of competition even if it is just for fun.

That's how i see it anyway. If i were the player on a team that was winning by a lot, i wouldn't just let people run past me and score or miss on purpose cause that would only hurt myself in the future when i was being looked at by colleges.

That's what I was thinking when I read this.

Also, even ignoring that point, I really don't see a problem with not letting up. If anyone should be fired, it should be the coach of the team that hasn't won a game in four years.

[Korietsu]

That's what I was thinking when I read this.

Also, even ignoring that point, I really don't see a problem with not letting up. If anyone should be fired, it should be the coach of the team that hasn't won a game in four years.

Apparently no one read the article. These children go to a private academy, of which the majority of them have learning disabilities. Ever thought of the associated consequences of those disabilities and sports?

We had the same problem with many schools in our district, as we would put up scores of 50+ - 0 in high school football, and the third string freshman are still scoring, there's nothing you can do, and the game should just be called quits, no need to publicly embarrass anyone in that manner, period, hell, even we stopped playing the fight song on every touchdown after about the 40 point mark in the 2nd quarter.

Yes, they should be doing intramural sports, or maybe they should be playing on the 1A level. But that's neither the fault of the girls or the coach. Sportsmanship is something that's required at all levels of play, but especially in UIL or TAPPS events, that kind of display is a total lack of sportsmanship, and reflects the character of the coach. The coach shouldn't have been fired, but that's just how teaching/coaching is in Texas, and quite possibly there is a lesson to be learned. Show some fucking discretion when you're stomping all over a team, if its clear there's no way to win, give em a chance to come back and at least put some points on the board.

[Brien]

Sadly, in a fucked up sense, I would have loved to watch this, and had been that obnoxious cheering fan for the 100pt team.

But at the same time showing discretion, can lose you a Heisman trophy (imo) Mac Brown's case vs. Bob Stoops. (i know this is not basketball but it goes along the same lines as High school scholarships). People look at stats, and if you want to move up scoring a shitload of points looks good, especially to those who don't watch.

[archibaldcrane]

While I think it's dumb to fire the coach, the coach is still an asshole. Once you have a steel death grip on victory, you put in your entire bench. If it's still too easy, you tell your players not to take the fast break shots, pull up and work on set plays, run the offense, etc.

You don't leave your star point guard in who can steal and layup at will for the whole game. That's just douchey.

[Mizango]

He's a poor mans Steve Spurrier. I'd hire him in a New York minute, I am all for throttling the hell out of someone, even if they are "special needs".

Story related:

I actually dunked on this pudgy 5'3" kid with sever down syndrome once during a pick up game after he made a jumper over me. He was running down the court doing the whole Stomile Swift thing, so I came down a few plays later all Charles Barkley 2-hand Gorilla dunk style. I'm talking nuts on his forehead type shit. I never felt bad, not for one second.

He was an asshole for being so blunt, but he shouldn't apologize for the beat down. lern2practice?

"HELLO!? YOU PLAY TO WIN THE GAME!"
http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/f...herman0108.jpg

Edit: Added for whoosh protection.

YouTube - Herm Edwards- Greatest Coach Ever!

[Akiyama]

Bullshit. Hire John Fox, he would have went up 2-0 and played prevent defense the rest of the game.

LOL!

Quite possibly the funniest thing you've ever said.

[Tyche]

He's a poor mans Steve Spurrier. I'd hire him in a New York minute, I am all for throttling the hell out of someone, even if they are "special needs".

Story related:

I actually dunked on this pudgy 5'3" kid with sever down syndrome once during a pick up game after he made a jumper over me. He was running down the court doing the whole Stomile Swift thing, so I came down a few plays later all Charles Barkley 2-hand Gorilla dunk style. I'm talking nuts on his forehead type shit. I never felt bad, not for one second.

He was an asshole for being so blunt, but he shouldn't apologize for the beat down. lern2practice?

"HELLO!? YOU PLAY TO WIN THE GAME!"
http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/f...herman0108.jpg

Edit: Added for whoosh protection.

YouTube - Herm Edwards- Greatest Coach Ever!

To be completely honest with you, most with downs are...

[Azkarin2]

This actually reminds me... I read that some of the high school leagues in Chicago still do not have a shot clock in their rules... so you'll still see scores like 13-7 as their final scores >.>

When I played ball in Georgia we never had a shot clock. As far as I know, no pre-college leagues have a shot clock.

[Seraph]

This whole situation is just swimming in stupid. Play the game, or don't play at all. If the handicap team sucks so bad, just have them play 4-on-4 against themselves. With scores like 100-0, I don't think they will even notice they are playing against their own people.


"Sorry for kicking your ass guys. Next time we will keep the score to double digits. Hugs and Kisses. Best Friends Forever."

[Gregorio]

Yeah colleges look at stats when considering scholarships, but they also look at the level of competition the kids are playing. Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors. I could go out and score 100 on those girls myself but that doesn't make me Kobe.

[Serif]

Theya re in the same district. You remember high school right? You play teams in your district. Districts aren't controlled by the coaches or probably even the current administration. I actually sent Michael Wilbon an exhaustive e-mail since he blasted the coach for scheduling that team on PTI (Which I'm sure he certainly read . He (the coach) had no control over it. They are in the same district. Glad the coach got fired, he's an idiot.

Somewhat right.

We had a team in our district drop out of our district for this reason. They were the laughing stock of the district for god knows how long and they finally wised up and dropped from I think 5A to 3A.

The coach has every option to say we do not belong in this district. Also, since the boys are in a certain district, forgot what the name for being 5A or lower is called, it does not also mean the girls have to be in the same.

When I played ball in Georgia we never had a shot clock. As far as I know, no pre-college leagues have a shot clock.

The only time fouls in HS Basketball are 10 seconds in the back court, 3 seconds in the lane, 5 seconds with the defender 1-3 feet from you.

[Kupo-lox]

the coach got fired. Sheesh, was he suppose to send 2 girls out on the court instead of 5?

The losing team should have done something about it... I dunno, liked SCORED.

[Mizango]

the coach got fired. Sheesh, was he suppose to send 2 girls out on the court instead of 5?

The losing team should have done something about it... I dunno, liked SCORED.

lol Exactly.

LOL!

Quite possibly the funniest thing you've ever said.

I knew someone would appreciate that.

[chazzyphizzle]

Obviously the winning team can't control their opponents ability, or lack thereof, to score. But they can control things like not staying in a full court press when you are up 80-0 and leaving your starters in chucking up 3's. I also agree the coach of the winning team shouldn't have been fired, but he didn't need to mock anybody with that e-mail either with all the coverage going on, don't be a dumbass....dumbass.

[Quixotic]

I think the coach getting fired is retarded. Especially after reading his response to the article (here: http://www.flightbasketball.com/100-...rom-Coach.html).

There's no shot clock in high school basketball, wtf could they do? It'd be even more of an embarrassment if they just sat there and held the ball for god knows how long and played a game of keepaway. No coach should ever have to tell their players to intentionally fuck up so the other team can get a chance at some meager points. The other team's players aren't THAT handicapped; from what has been stated that I've read, their only "handicap" is ADD/ADHD or dyslexia, which is nothing that should really affect their basketball skills in anyway (My high school bball team had a guy with dyslexia who was one of the best players on the team).

[0ni0n]

I smell a lawsuit coming. Humiliating your rival in a basketball game is hardly sufficient ground for dismissal.

[Tyche]

I think the coach getting fired is retarded. Especially after reading his response to the article (here: http://www.flightbasketball.com/100-...rom-Coach.html).

There's no shot clock in high school basketball, wtf could they do? It'd be even more of an embarrassment if they just sat there and held the ball for god knows how long and played a game of keepaway. No coach should ever have to tell their players to intentionally fuck up so the other team can get a chance at some meager points. The other team's players aren't THAT handicapped; from what has been stated that I've read, their only "handicap" is ADD/ADHD or dyslexia, which is nothing that should really affect their basketball skills in anyway (My high school bball team had a guy with dyslexia who was one of the best players on the team).

1. Don't throw up three's when up 80-0
2. Pass the ball at least 10 times around on offense
3. Don't full court press when up 80-0
4. No fast break points
5. No starters
6. Pull your guard who has dropped 45+ points.

continue? It isn't some new fringe method to run out the clock while still actually playing a game. It doesn't matter that the girls were handicapped or not. It doesn't matter that the girls don't belong in varsity play, what matters was a coaches lack of control and unapologetic attitude in completely dominating a team. There is no reward for beating teams 100-0. There is no college that could care less that you can score 40 on a school with 20 people. If you can point me to an aspect of this story where the coach showed restraint by pulling his 40+ point guard, pulling starters, backing off press, or doing anything other than trying to demoralize a team by putting up a glamorous score that looked pretty in a stat book, I might think about giving him a chance. I didn't see it and he was obviously unremorseful and found no fault in the way he managed that game. Was what he did legal? Absolutely, but there's no way I'd let a man who has no restraint, a complete lack of sportsmanship, and zero accountability coach my daughter or influence her in any way. His position shouldn't tolerate such character flaws.

[Seraph]

1. Don't throw up three's when up 80-0
2. Pass the ball at least 10 times around on offense
3. Don't full court press when up 80-0
4. No fast break points
5. No starters
6. Pull your guard who has dropped 45+ points.

continue? It isn't some new fringe method to run out the clock while still actually playing a game. It doesn't matter that the girls were handicapped or not. It doesn't matter that the girls don't belong in varsity play, what matters was a coaches lack of control and unapologetic attitude in completely dominating a team. There is no reward for beating teams 100-0. There is no college that could care less that you can score 40 on a school with 20 people. If you can point me to an aspect of this story where the coach showed restraint by pulling his 40+ point guard, pulling starters, backing off press, or doing anything other than trying to demoralize a team by putting up a glamorous score that looked pretty in a stat book, I might think about giving him a chance. I didn't see it and he was obviously unremorseful and found no fault in the way he managed that game. Was what he did legal? Absolutely, but there's no way I'd let a man who has no restraint, a complete lack of sportsmanship, and zero accountability coach my daughter or influence her in any way. His position shouldn't tolerate such character flaws.

If anything, I would feel it is in poor taste to cater your play style to your opponent. Playing them like you would play any other team is the way to go, and based on the score, this is probably what they did.

You seriously want a situation similar to "Sorry girls, we think you suck so bad, we are going to change how we play so you don't get beaten so hard."?

The only thing worse than getting your ass beat is getting your ass beat and knowing the opponent wasn't even trying, or offering you false hope. If both teams aren't really playing, what is the point of the game? Why bother competing at all? Why even have a basketball team?

Someone always has to lose, and if someone can't handle that, they shouldn't play the game.