Along with family and friends, I watched a lot of basketball in the past couple of days. The reason for a road trip to Charleston was to watch Bridgeport’s 8^th grade post-season team participate in a tournament based out of Riverside High School. We made it to the semifinals; that contest – between the Bridgeport Warriors and WV Reign - played at East Bank Middle School – the same building where Jerry West once played for the East Bank High School Pioneers. 

 

Besides the four games our guys played, we caught a few others in between. And before the action started, various members of our traveling crew were able to watch some action at the Charleston Civic Center. I saw one of those games; the Class AA championship between the Robert C. Byrd Eagles and the Bluefield Beavers.  

 

Though I presently claim basketball as my favorite sport to watch, I’m by no stretch of the imagination an authority on the game. I’m not one to complain about bad officiating, simply because I don’t know the game well enough to make that call. And although I love the action – especially when it’s a very close contest – I love the time leading up to and following the game, too. My kids have always ribbed me a little because I say my favorite part of the game is watching players shake hands afterwards. And I think that’s a very important part of the action to watch; not just in a casual way, but to really pay attention to the interaction between the teams. You’ve probably guessed it by now: I’m a big fan of good sportsmanship.

 

It takes a lot of skill, endurance, physical ability and agility – as well as quick thinking - to be a good athlete on the court or field. And I appreciate all of those qualities very much. But when it’s all said and done - no matter how well a team may play - spectators notice sportsmanship the most. Long after they remember who wins or loses, there is recollection of attitude – be it particularly good or particularly bad. If athletes want to impress someone and leave behind a legacy, there’s their big chance.

 

I realize that there are times when coaches have to speak up for their players to protect their rights – and more importantly, their safety. I also know that athletes play with a lot of emotion, heartfelt effort and a lot of pressure. Sometimes, they let their guard down and say or do something they shouldn’t. Like bettering their performance on the court or field, players can improve their attitude and sportsmanship display. You don’t get blackballed from the good sportsmanship club, it’s one in which you can earn a membership at any time. So if you’re not quite there, keep working at it and once you’ve achieved it, keep the standard.

 

The team our Warriors lost to in the semis was another local team; based out of Fairmont, but on which hoopsters from around the state play. A few of those guys were from Bridgeport and are friends – good friends – with our team members. I watched those guys on the court; guarding each other with every ounce of effort they had, but if a couple of them were standing back court together, they’d be engaging in a quick handshake or “that a boy” pat on the back. That stuff is big to me. A three-pointer could have put the game in overtime and possibly advanced our team to the finals. That would have been nice – and given some extra seconds on the clock, it possibly could have happened. But having a winning attitude is timeless and to milk an old cliché – priceless.

 

So it may come as no surprise that on Saturday, I was glued to the action on the Civic Center floor before and after Clarksburg’s RCB came up short for the Class AA title. I wasn’t close enough to see facial expressions, but I paid attention to the body language.  When introduced beforehand, each player from Byrd and Bluefield slapped hands with his team members and proceeded onto the court. There, he shook hands with a member of the opposing team and went on to fist bump a line of officials and coaches. A similar drill followed the game.  As often is the case, I may be a minority here, but I thought that was a very good show.

 

Congrats to all teams – of all sports and age levels – who engage in athletics. Win or lose, I hope your experience leaves you with hunger to try even harder the next time and with a positive attitude; one you can look back on today and years to come with pride.