Hopkins got a lot of attention during last week’s state basketball tournament, first for using slow-down tactics in overtime and then for questionable sportsmanship afterward. Several players removed their second-place medals immediately after receiving them following a loss in the Class AAAA title game.
While sportsmanship needs to be taught and promoted, I often wince at the forced sportsmanship before or after playoff games as the players are required to go through a pre-determined ceremony. Sometimes it’s captains reading a script before a game. Afterwards, it’s one player from the other team coming forward to shake hands as medals are handed out. Some pre-game announcements go on and on and on.
It’s too bad that in our society so many people have to be reminded to do what’s right and act appropriately. That includes fans, sometimes even more so than the participants.
Once in awhile, though, we are treated to genuine acts of true sportsmanship.
I recall a high school football playoff game many years ago between two rival teams from neighboring towns. It was a hard-fought, competitive contest and in the end, the upset did not occur as the favorite pulled away at the end.
In those days, awards were simply a trophy to each team, no individual medals.
But I still clearly remember that as the championship trophy was awarded, the players on the other team – losers on the scoreboard only – stood and applauded.
It was a spontaneous, honest display of respect and sportsmanship at the highest level – not expected, required, or planned in advance.
When players are able to step up and show that kind of character, we are all better for it.
Mouth-watering Omaha Steaks
Showing posts with label basketball. Show all posts
Showing posts with label basketball. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Sports: basketball uniforms, part 2
High school basketball playoffs are in full swing, and the uniforms and accessories keeping getting crazier.
The latest trend is for players, and sometimes entire teams, to wear knee pads. Considering how rough the sport has gotten, it is a good idea. It’s just that in order for the pads to stay in place they are so long that coupled with the modern over-sized uniform shorts, they look like tights under a skirt.
This year, I’ve also seen a few players wearing headbands – not the typical sports headband, but the single-strand type worn by girls. Another player simply went the pony tail route. I guess if you need to keep long hair out of your face, following the lead of experienced female athletes is a logical choice.
So what’s the next accessory we can sell to our young athletes?
I got it – gloves! There aren’t too many body parts not covered yet, so gloves that will help you grip the basketball and be a fashion statement should be a big seller.
These would essentially be the same gloves a wide receiver wears in football, but there needs to some distinction so that an athlete would have to buy both, not cheat the manufacturer by wearing football gloves on a basketball court. That would never do.
The latest trend is for players, and sometimes entire teams, to wear knee pads. Considering how rough the sport has gotten, it is a good idea. It’s just that in order for the pads to stay in place they are so long that coupled with the modern over-sized uniform shorts, they look like tights under a skirt.
This year, I’ve also seen a few players wearing headbands – not the typical sports headband, but the single-strand type worn by girls. Another player simply went the pony tail route. I guess if you need to keep long hair out of your face, following the lead of experienced female athletes is a logical choice.
So what’s the next accessory we can sell to our young athletes?
I got it – gloves! There aren’t too many body parts not covered yet, so gloves that will help you grip the basketball and be a fashion statement should be a big seller.
These would essentially be the same gloves a wide receiver wears in football, but there needs to some distinction so that an athlete would have to buy both, not cheat the manufacturer by wearing football gloves on a basketball court. That would never do.
Basketball: state high school tournament
The state high school boys basketball tournament gets underway today. Even with four classes going at it, this is the premier event of the tournament season.
Basketball is a sport in which the casual fan can follow the game easily – unlike football which often is a jumble of players too far away to see what’s really happening. Basketball has enough scoring to keep it interesting, unlike hockey. And despite how good girls are these days, boys games are still faster and usually more entertaining.
High school basketball has one other key ingredient – actually one element that isn’t part of it: the shot clock.
It takes a lot more skill to work the ball around for a couple minutes and finally break loose for an open lay-up when the defense falters, than it does to get off a shot within a prescribed amount of time. It often ends up being a lousy shot, and means that the defense only had to play defense for a relatively short amount of time.
You would think it’s better for young athletes to learn to play defense for extended stretches so they have better skills and are well-prepared to go on to a higher level of competition.
Unfortunately, the higher level has a shot clock, so you don’t have to play defense very long there.
Basketball is a sport in which the casual fan can follow the game easily – unlike football which often is a jumble of players too far away to see what’s really happening. Basketball has enough scoring to keep it interesting, unlike hockey. And despite how good girls are these days, boys games are still faster and usually more entertaining.
High school basketball has one other key ingredient – actually one element that isn’t part of it: the shot clock.
It takes a lot more skill to work the ball around for a couple minutes and finally break loose for an open lay-up when the defense falters, than it does to get off a shot within a prescribed amount of time. It often ends up being a lousy shot, and means that the defense only had to play defense for a relatively short amount of time.
You would think it’s better for young athletes to learn to play defense for extended stretches so they have better skills and are well-prepared to go on to a higher level of competition.
Unfortunately, the higher level has a shot clock, so you don’t have to play defense very long there.
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Sports: basketball uniforms
It just hit me: why doesn’t the NBA ever have games with throwback uniforms? (Or do they and I’ve missed it?)
You know, complete with the short shorts like from the ‘70s. Or is there something in the players’ contracts that protects them from having to do such a silly thing?
These days in high school, we now see players wearing long sleeves and tights to play basketball. And headbands. And knee bands. Shooting sleeves. Shooting sleeves worn on the other arm. Knee-high socks. No-show socks.
What other accessories can sporting goods companies come up with to sell to teenagers?
It’s one thing to wear a pad to nurse an injury, or even prevent a new one, but some of these styles are pretty outlandish – a scream for attention – like the fluorescent shoes instead of team colors.
Maybe the short shorts of decades ago aren’t so goofy looking compared to what players wear now.
Some of the baseball and football throwback uniforms are pretty awful. It sure would be nice to see an NBA team wear 1970s-style uniforms – just for one night, though.
You know, complete with the short shorts like from the ‘70s. Or is there something in the players’ contracts that protects them from having to do such a silly thing?
These days in high school, we now see players wearing long sleeves and tights to play basketball. And headbands. And knee bands. Shooting sleeves. Shooting sleeves worn on the other arm. Knee-high socks. No-show socks.
What other accessories can sporting goods companies come up with to sell to teenagers?
It’s one thing to wear a pad to nurse an injury, or even prevent a new one, but some of these styles are pretty outlandish – a scream for attention – like the fluorescent shoes instead of team colors.
Maybe the short shorts of decades ago aren’t so goofy looking compared to what players wear now.
Some of the baseball and football throwback uniforms are pretty awful. It sure would be nice to see an NBA team wear 1970s-style uniforms – just for one night, though.
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