Catholic high school ‘remorseful’ after basketball team pummels opponent by 88 points
“What is the ethical part of coaching? What is sportsmanship truly?” a Connecticut high school athletic conference commissioner is asking.
A Catholic high school in the state is feeling “remorseful” after its undefeated girls’ basketball team pummeled its opponent by 88 points.
Sacred Heart Academy beat Lyman Hall High School’s team in a 92-4 blowout win on Jan. 3, and the winning head coach was suspended as a result, Southern Connecticut Conference Commissioner Al Carbone told McClatchy News.
“Last night’s girls’ basketball game vs. Lyman Hall High School does not align with our values or philosophies,” the school’s president, Sister Sheila O’Neill, said in a statement the day after the team’s win, The Associated Press reported.
“Sacred Heart Academy Administration and Athletics are deeply remorseful for the manner through with the outcome of the game was achieved,” she said.
Head coach Jason Kirck was suspended for one game that will be played on Jan. 6, Carbone said. Kirck will return next week for Sacred Heart’s next game.
During Monday’s game at halftime, the girls on Sacred Heart’s team had already hit 56 points while Lyman Hall scored none, according to Carbone, who said coach Kirck has two daughters on the team.
In the game’s second quarter, Sacred Heart played “tough” man-to-man defense on Lyman Hall, meeting the players at half court or just beyond, and would steal the ball for breakaway shots, the commissioner described, adding that he believes that’s where things went “awry.”
“You want your kids to play good defense, but maybe you do it a little bit differently.” He suggested Sacred Heart’s defense could’ve headed back to the free throw line, letting Lyman Hall get the ball into their offensive zone.
Lyman Hall will face off against Sacred Heart again on Jan. 28, according to Carbone.
“We have to make sure as adults that the competition is good, but we also have to make sure that we’re respectful of one another,” Carbone said, adding that the two schools and coaches have met since playing against each other.
He said Kirck is “going through a lot” with all the attention the game against Lyman Hall has gotten, adding that he’s known the coach for over 20 years.
“Both schools, both administrations have done a really good job of talking to their student-athletes and letting the students talk about their feelings and what they were feeling,” Carbone said. “And that’s a good thing, ’cause that’s what high school sports is about.
“Yeah it’s about wins and losses and everyone’s gonna remember the score … but how’d it make you feel and what can you do better? What do you need to do as leaders? As student leaders? ... I think there’s a lot of good that’s gonna come out of this.”
“I think we’re gonna be able to move on and it’s gonna help the sport,” Carbone added.
Both opponents belong to the SCC, and Sacred Heart’s team is ranked third in the state, according to Carbone.
It’s still early in the basketball season, he added.
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