Sportsmanship a precious commodity in high school sports

At first viewing, it looked like a bush league thing to do. Not cool at all. It smacked of bullying. It smacked of Maloney baloney.

Before their game at Xavier on Oct. 22, the Spartan players charged from one side of the field directly through Xavier cheerleaders who had formed two lines to welcome their own team.

The Maloney player leading the charge, carrying a green flag, caught the first cheerleader unaware and nearly bumped into her. The cheerleader at one end of the line quickly dropped the banner. Most players hopped over it. Some trampled it.

From the far side — initially blocked from view of the Meriden Record Journal camera angle — was a man dressed all in black with a black cap. He ran in front of the flag bearer and was the first to jump over the banner. Athletic director Bob McKee identified him as head coach Kevin Frederick.

As the players rushed past, the Xavier cheerleader at the end of the line on the far side extended her hands as if it to say, “What the heck is going on here?” Excellent question. If anyone watched this video only a fool would not conclude, wow, this could have been an invitation to a brawl between two teams.

Emotions are high. Bravado is high. We must protect our house!

Sportsmanship is a precious commodity.

And that is the beauty and the beast of 2021 where iPhone videos become our journalism and where reactions on social media become our valued opinions.

Things may not be exactly as they appear, or they may be. Truths revealed may not be the whole truth, or they may be. And when it comes to the games our kids play, one question must be: What could the adults have done?

Last week, a video emerged showing the teenaged daughter of former NBA player Corey Benjamin sucker-punching an opponent in a game at a Southern California youth event. It was a brutal blow that left the girl on the floor with a concussion. The video went viral.

The victim’s mom, Alice Ham, filed a police report and she alleges that Benjamin’s daughter was encouraged by her mom to hit the victim. It turned out that a few months ago Benjamin’s daughter was banned from another venue after attacking not one — but two opponents — with a flurry of punches.

Without any media covering the event, the video served an important purpose. There could be no denials or half-baked rationalizations. Corey Benjamin issued a public apology. He said his daughter will get the help needed.

One question for responsible adults: After the first rampage, what the heck was that 14-year-old girl doing on the floor anytime this soon?

Near Pittsburgh a couple of weeks ago, a girl was subjected to repulsive chants by Armstrong High students at a hockey game. Her crime? She was playing goal for the opposing team. It wasn’t a couple of kids. It was at least 50. And those chants didn’t last only a moment or two. They were caught on video lasting for some time.

The chants were vulgar. They chants were degrading. The PIHL barred Armstrong students from its hockey games the remainder of the season. The school did not disclose the discipline the students received.

The league commissioner called the actions “disgusting” and that the game should have been stopped with the offenders escorted