First Posted: 2/4/2015
I’ve seen the good, the bad and the ugly through my years of covering scholastic sports. But nothing warms my heart more than seeing a show of good sportsmanship at any level.
If you’re not familiar with the Wyoming Area girls basketball team, you should be. And you should head out to a game in the coming weeks. The Warriors, who aren’t too bad on the court in their own right, have embodied the “good sportsmanship” mantra. In fact, they’ve taken it to the next level.
In a reporter’s shoes, especially one who cares about the young athletes, sometimes it’s hard to turn a blind eye toward spectators.
For instance, while at an 11-year-old Little League game early last season, the fielding team’s third baseman made a less-than-perfect effort at getting in front of a hot shot down the line. It’s called the hot corner for a reason, and I’ve been there. There aren’t a whole lot of things scarier than staring down the barrel of an aluminum bat while standing just feet away.
That poor third baseman got chastised by his mother when he came into the dugout.
“Get in front of the ball!” she let out in what sounded more like a blood-curdling scream. The player proceeded to strike out in his next at-bat and sit on the bench wiping his eyes as his mother continued to break him down.
Just a few weeks ago, while at a high school basketball game, the opposing fans — adult fans — took heckling to a new level by singling out players explicitly. It was embarrassing, even for me.
But as a reporter for a community-driven newspaper, I find it super easy to turn a wide eye at what’s happening at Wyoming Area.
Coach Chad Lojewski took over the WA girls basketball program this year. The Back Mountain resident, whose daughter plays for the Dallas varsity girls team, is as straight as it gets — his team is, too.
Following the very controversial 125-13 Holy Redeemer win over MMI Prep, the Warriors took it into their own hands to make the Preppers feel the love. Wyoming Area played MMI in the following game. The Lady Warriors put inspirational posters in the locker room and treated their opponents to cupcakes and pizza after the game.
MMI returned the favor.
When the Warriors traveled to Holy Redeemer a few weeks back, MMI was there. The Preppers worked out a plan with Meyers to move their game time up so they could see Wyoming Area at Holy Redeemer — MMI does not have a junior varsity team so it wasn’t a big deal. Meyers obliged and all seven MMI players were seen cheering on their new friends just two rows behind Wyoming Area’s bench.
Two schools, nearly 30 miles apart, created a bond. And that’s where I thought the Wyoming Area gratitude would end. What more could they do?
The little things — that’s what they could do.
Just last week in a win over Hanover Area, the Warriors continued to show why they just might be the classiest team around.
After Hanover’s Asdone Hooper scored her 1,000th career point on her first bucket of the game, there was the usual ceremony at center court. Balloons and pictures followed. And while Hooper was walking off the floor to return her balloons, Wyoming Area was there. Each player came up to Hooper and congratulated her.
Following my interview with Lojewski, we walked out of the gym together. The WA team was there. Lojewski kindly asked his players to thank me for coming to their game.
“Thanks, @Dispatch_Nick!”
No, thank you.
In no way, shape or form am I saying Wyoming Area is the only team that is a classy bunch. What I am saying is that I hope teams and spectators and parents can learn a thing or two from them. Being a high school athlete is difficult. It’s even more difficult when parents or spectators breathe fire down the backs of those athletes.
Stay classy, Lady Warriors!
