1. The Covenant School coach whose girls’ basketball team beat Dallas Academy 100-0 was fired yesterday, after he sent out an e-mail earlier in the day disagreeing with the apology by the school’s headmaster. Boy, that escalated quickly. I mean that really got out of hand fast.
2. Add quinceañeras to the list of things ruined by the global economic crisis. That’s bad news for a ton of stores on Jefferson Avenue. Not to mention my magic show business.
3. And finally, what heart-warming story do you want to end with: the Richardson basketball player born with only one hand who has had to overcome that as well as a shaky home life, or the Grand Prairie kid who moved to the U.S. five years ago knowing only Spanish, and will graduate No. 1 in his class with full-ride offers from MIT and Rice? Congratulations. You get both.
26 comments
1. The wussification of America continues
2. quincy what?
3. Southlake is ticked.
http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2009/01/everybody_sing_even_the_losers.php#more
And Robert Wilonsky quotes Paul Kix on this story.
Nice Hot Rod reference.
WDWJR: What Defense Would Jesus Run?
In our on words: The Journey to a 100-0 victory
By: Coach Micah Grimes
After counting down the seconds until the final buzzer, I lined up my girls to wish the opposing team well, and then headed into the locker room for our post game rituals. After the girls and I said our goodbyes, I headed home to reflect like I always do after every game. But this was no ordinary game. Little did I know that in the next eight days, Barry Horn would write an article for Dallas Morning News about our 100-0 win over Dallas Academy that would start a firestorm of articles, nationally broadcasted news stories, and hateful email about me and the 8 young ladies that make up the Dallas Covenant School girls basketball team. I’ve always taught my girls to value honesty, integrity, compassion for others and to stand up for those values despite the consequences. So it is for Andi, Savannah, Taylor, Lauren, Wren, Marquita, Blair, Tiffany and our assistant coach Kelly that I tell our story.
The Team. We are hardly the “elite basketball powerhouse” that we are described as in the National and local media. Up until 3 years ago, we rarely had a winning season. In fact, during my first year at Covenant four years ago, we experienced one of our worst seasons – a losing record of only 2 wins and 19 losses that sunk to an 82-6 low in a game that forever changed us and how we approached the game of basketball. Two years later we made the first Final Four appearance in the school’s history. Like Dallas Academy, Covenant is a small Christian school, which is why we are in the same district. We don’t have a home gym so we rent out facilities or gym space in the community so we can practice, and then watch game film at the home of one of the players. We’ve never had a full roster. Only about 30 high school girls attend Covenant and only 8 of those girls play basketball. During many of the games this year, we played with 6 girls, and sometimes only 5. When players fouled out, we’ve had to finish the game with 4. But we always finished the game.
The Players. Rarely does a coach find a player who will run the extra laps, do the extra push-ups, or shoot the extra baskets without complaining. I have 8 such players—2 freshmen, a sophomore who is new to the school and team, another sophomore who has been with us for two years, two Juniors who have been with us for 3 years, a Senior who is new to the team and school, and another Junior who is new to basketball and is learning how to play for the first time in her life. My girls believe in each other, motivate each other, and see each other as family. The respect and admiration I have for them and their parents are the main reason why I come back to Covenant each year.
The Game. The game started like any other high school basketball game across the nation. The teams warm-up, coaches talk, the ball is tipped, and then the play begins. We started the game off with a full-court press. After 3 minutes into play, we had already reached a 25-0 lead. Like any rational thinking coach would do, I immediately stopped the full-court press, dropped into a 2-3 zone defense, and started subbing in my 3 bench players. This strategy continued for the rest of the game and allowed the Dallas Academy players to get the ball up the court for a chance to score. The second half started with a score of 59-0. Seeing that we would win by too wide of a margin, running down the clock was the only logical course of action left. Contrary to the articles, there were only a total of four 3 point baskets made; three is the first quarter, and only 1 in the 3rd quarter. I continued to sub in bench players, play zone defense, and run the clock for the rest of the game. We played fair and honorably within the rules and in the presence of the parents, coaches, and athletic directors for both Covenant School and Dallas Academy.
The Apology. In response to the statement posted on The Covenant School Website, I do not agree with the apology or the notion that the Covenant School girls basketball team should feel embarrassed or ashamed. We played the game as it was meant to be played. My values and my beliefs would not allow me to run up the score on any opponent, and it will not allow me to apologize for a wide-margin victory when my girls played with honor and integrity. We honor God, ourselves and our families when we step on the court to compete. I do no wish to forfeit the game. What kind of example does it set for our children? Do we really want to punish Covenant School girls? Does forfeiting really help Dallas Academy girls? We experienced a blowout almost 4 years ago and it was painful, but it made us who we are today. I believe in the lessons that sports teach us. Competition builds character, and teaches us to value selflessness, hard work, and perseverance. As a coach, I have instilled in my girls these values. So if I loose my job over these statements, I will walk away with my integrity.
Sincerely,
Micah Grimes
Box Scores:
1st – 35
2nd – 24
3rd – 29
4th – 12
Players’ Quotes
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In the past I have played basketball and have always enjoyed the game because it builds character. You learn to play against others, but you also learn to play against yourself. You conquer your fears and your mind. You are no longer an individual, but a team growing together through wins and losses.
Coach Grimes came to my house to talk to me about this new season he had established. He said that this season was about building “a family”. Winning was not the most important thing to accomplish. The goal was to suit up, play our best, and ultimately unite together as this “family” by loving each other on and off the court. After hearing this, I immediately wanted to play for Grimes.
You see, Coach Grimes is one of the kindest men I know. He is full of humility. For someone to assume that they know him and what happened in the game from an article by a man who has never met Coach or our team is wrong. He is a good man, who strives to do his best in every aspect of life. His perseverance should be rewarded.
This is the best year yet. He has taught me so much. Our team is amazing and we hope to make it to state. However, we know that there are many obstacles along the way. It is God testing us to see how we will respond. Will we trust Him?
This man that you put down has inspired me in many games where I wanted to give up and go home. And no matter what happens I will continue to play for Micah because I play for him off the court as well as on the court. I will defend him in anyway that I can because he is my family.
That night before our game against Dallas Academy he asked our team, “What is my job?” We responded saying, “To love us.” Then he said, “Now what is your job?” And we responded, “To love each other.” This is what the Covenant Lady Knights are called to do on and off the court. Love.
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When the article was first published I was furious; thinking in my mind that the guy who wrote it wasn’t even there. But as time went on, I started to get sick to my stomach every time someone brought it up. I was sick of talking about it and tired of all the negative publicity. The worst part of it all was that no one asked us how we felt or what we had to say. The school simply responded on our behalf saying that we are sorry and we are willing to forfeit. This was a high school district game in which we played solid defense that resulted in good offense. We were not playing at our full potential and I resent anyone who implies that we did. I missed a significant number of lay-ups and free-throws. We ran the clock and we slowed down our offense and took the press off in the 1st half of the 1st quarter, there was not much else that we could have done. Further Coach Grimes is an amazing Coach and a devout Christian. He has improved my game 100% and I will always give him the credit. I love him with all my heart; he started this family, he is the head of this family, so without him there would be no family. This team means more to me than anyone could imagine, and I wouldn’t change any part of it for the world.
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This year had been a very hard year for all of us but Coach always helps us through everything with our personal “heart to hearts” during practice. He has helped not just me but “Our family” not just in basketball but also spiritually in my walk to Christ. We are a true family and love each other dearly. Nothing we did to Dallas Academy was intentional.
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Coach Grimes has helped me develop my game but most importantly my character. He encourages me when I’m down or when I have a bad game. Coach is a godly man who has always been selfless and a born servant. I love him so much and we’re a family that sticks together through the joy and the pain of the game. I’ll always stand by him. I hope I can return the favor for the countless hours he has invested into my life and the team.
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I feel as if I was thrown under the bus because if I show up anywhere wearing a Covenant Jersey or Sweatshirt, I get glares. If we did something wrong, we would’ve apologized that night, not after the media fiasco. We have news vans trying to get in the school that watch us and wait to follow us. Aren’t people being hypocrites by shunning us and saying we aren’t Christians?
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I have ADD and ADHD. There is nothing that separates me from anyone on the Dallas Academy girls team, so there is nothing that should separate the value of our sides. What we did that night is what we are on this team for: to play basketball and win. As for the media calling our actions “unchristian”, that is very sad. For this team, and our coach are a living testimony. I am not sorry for how we played that night because I know that no harm was intended and I also know no harm occurred. I would hope America was more willing to read the lies in between the lines. The coach is as important to the team as we are—we are with him 100%.
Covenant and other private schools specifically enroll kids with special athletic abilities (especially when they have an expansion plan…driven by the campus lately?). I’m going to throw this down: RINGERS. Covenant was a team of RINGERS who have been enrolled in the last 3 years, as nothing brings in those pledge checks like a winning season… I’ve seen it before. I’m only curious about this: how many of the girls on the Covenant team are on financial aid and/or scholarship?
True, we are raising soft kids. However, what the coach did (posting the statement) was just wrong. No one blames the kids, it’s the adults that are the problem. If you want to teach and coach at a Christian school, then WALK THE WALK. He has to be willing to lay down HIS “cross” daily and shed pride as an example.
@ Amanda
The only problem with your seemingly-sound assertion is that it’s totally contrary to reality.
Media reports have already confirmed that six of the eight Covenant players had been enrolled there for several years. And knowing one of the players, I can verify that such is true.
That’s good to know. My daughter has been @ 2 classical model schools. One in particular “recruited” athletic talent. I think a bigger lesson was lost by the Covenant team by way of the coach, and that is being gracious in the face of criticism.
Interesting the TAPS rules allow for a “mercy” clause in 6 man footbal, but not b-ball.
@ Incognizant: How does the fact that several of the players have been enrolled there for several years not make them ringers?
The coach took over the team 4 years ago, when they were regularly getting their a$$ handed to them, and since then has added the entire team by his account above. I don’t personally know whether they’re “ringers” or not, but the fact that they didn’t arrive en masse this year doesn’t mean they aren’t.
I so enjoy reading the FB spin machine.
Put another checkmark next to Dallas for
redneck.
Barry Horn’s story was interesting to me for the different approaches between different schools. He had the DISD coach who pulled way back on the way to a 55-1 victory. And he had the quotes from the woman who’s team got strapped 103-0 a few years ago. By another Christian school. What is it with Christian schools, anyway?
Rod Dreher, a former Covenant parent himself if memory serves, instructively demonstrates genuine Christian responses to such unfortunates and their plights here and here that Covenant has yet to achieve.
@ Incognizant…a few years ago, my daughter’s school enrolled a student from another private school (expelled). The kid had dyslexia and obvious behavior problems, but was athletically gifted. I questioned IF this was good for the school, as the school was not equipped for learning differences and classes so small, and disruption in class would be detrimental to the other students. I was informed it was “God’s will.” (God’s will is our born-again catch-all justification for any/all emotively guided decisions…) My follow up quip was not received warmly, “God’s will? Really? Do you think HE keeps up with our football team? He might have bigger fish to fry…”
@ Long Memory…it’s not just Christian schools, although it does seem worse (at least to me) somehow. Let me tell you, in the world of private schools, there is a certain mindset of the parents. “I pay tuition, therefore, my child deserves special treatment/consideration for all things at all times.” At games, there is a feeling my fellow parents expressed of, “We pay tuition, and athletic fees, so my kid better play.” It’s a different kind of pay to play, but you get the idea.
It’s the ADULTS, not the kids.
Rod Dreher, a former Covenant parent himself…………..nothing more need be said. His is the number one bully of evangelical fanatics.
Children, children … I have never been a Covenant parent, nor am I an Evangelical. I cannot expect you to bring a sense of irony to your petulant whining, but I think it reasonable to expect you to get your facts straight.
Then, Mr. Dreher, in respect of your timely request I am hoping that you might be more frequently willing to reciprocate.
Trying to justify a 100 to zero score is very difficult, and still he doesn’t see what he did wrong? He should have been fired immediatly after the game. Where was the Athletic director? If he was at the game and allowed this to happen he should go also.
Do we know how many shots the losing team took? Are they just terrible shooters, or was the ball stolen before they even got a chance to shoot?
Perhaps I missed this, but I’d like it clarified: What would have been the appropriate action for the winning coach to take?
Also, I’d like to know if there’s any precident for situations like this? Is there a coach’s hanbbook that says, “When blowing out a team, do ‘X’”? Is it common for coaches to completely lay down, stop the game, etc.?
so, the coach was fired for producing a kick ass basketball team? Yeah, that makes sense.
wussification of America.
@ j.d.w.
Google “mercy rule” to see what actions the coach probably should have taken or at least considered, IMO.
And the “wussification” of America…oh dear….running the score up on a team from a school “renowned for its work with students who have learning disabilities”….and being unapologetic about it? Yeah, what’s not “kick ass” about that? I mean after all, the whole goal of team sports is being “kick ass”, right?
I’m pretty sure you were being funny. In which case, I will use the term “wussification of America” in regards any hot topics from now on. I like it.
@GMAFB You’re not from around here, are you?
My question is why would a team that good schedule an opponent that bad?
Isn’t that the athletic directors job to schedule?
Let me know how that works I am curious…
There obviously are two different stories. The first one I heard was the Covenant team was pressing the entire game, trying to get steals before the DA girls could even try to shoot, not subbing, etc. It looks like the truth is, as always, somewhere in the middle — according to the (former) coach, Covenant only has 8 players, so it’s not like they could put in all the scrubs; Covenant stopped the full court press (but nothing is said about not going for steals), Covenant only scored 12 in the 4th quarter, etc. On the flip side, Covenant scored 29 in the 3rd — sure sounds like they came out after halftime with the idea of putting the foot on the gas to get to 100; the coach says nothing about telling his team not to fast break (which is what he would have done if he was calling off the dogs); I find it hard to believe that if Covenant was playing a soft 2-3 zone that DA did not hit a single shot given the scores of some of their other games (on the other hand, they didn’t make any free throws either, which means they either never got to the line because Covenant was not playing tough D or they can’t hit a free throw).
It seems like the Covenant coach could’ve done more to uphold the honors of good sportsmanship, etc. On the other hand, did he really deserved to get canned over this?
I wonder how much the folks in the M.I.T. and Rice admissions offices snicker when they see “Covenant” or “Dallas” (Christian) Academy” on an application?
Per amanda cobra’s very helpful advice, I googled “mercy rule”. That lead me to the Wikipedia entry, which filled me in (I come from a competitive 5A high school where the competition was fairly evenly matched…). I thought it was interesting that this entry made no mention of basketball at all (Stop. I know, okay…? You don’t need to explain Wikipedia to me, but it was the first result…).
I found this bit particularly interesting:
The mercy rule is most common in games such as baseball or softball, where there is no game clock and play could theoretically continue forever, although it is also used in sports such as hockey, soccer, and football.
The other sports mentioned in the article included boxing, wrestling, rugby and ultimate frisbee – all of which could be considered somewhat violent and are high risk sports when it comes to injuries (yes… soccer is very physical – just ask my knee!).
Maybe the mercy rule is not used because HS b-ball is a timed game with little risk of serious injury? And since the mercy rule is not commonly used in this district (I read that somewhere today), why would the coach go there? If he had, he’d probably get bashed for that as well!
Finally, I know Bethany is no longer around (regrettably) to slap me with a ruler… but I meant “handbook” in my previous post, for those keeping score.