Letter: Some coaches are poor sports

Ron@vegas.com

Friday, Dec. 17, 1999 | 2:13 a.m.

Last week, I observed an embarrassing display of sportsmanship in a local girls basketball game. The winning team's players and coaches refused to participate in the customary post-game ritual of shaking hands with their opponents. This coaching staff sent its players off the floor and into the locker room as soon as the game ended, apparently as a form of protest over a technical foul one of its players had been given late in the contest.

This coach apparently is teaching her players that good sportsmanship is selective, and not a necessary part of their athletic experience in school. This "teacher" and molder of young minds and personalities has set a dangerous example for her players and cast a shadow on her school's athletic teachings in the eyes of all who attended that game last Friday evening.

For their part, Clark High School's Lady Chargers showed the poise and good sportsmanship of fine young ladies as they stood alone on the court, waiting to congratulate their opponents for a good match after Palo Verde's Lady Panthers had long since left the gymnasium floor.

The Lady Chargers were defeated in the game, but showed they are winners in good sportsmanship. I think that was far more important than the game score.

-- KEITH DIXON

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