It's not something that shows up in the box score. It isn't something that shows up in the finals score or in the course of a 32-minute basketball game. But it's something you'll see every day and night at the District 9C basketball tournament. It's called passion, and the kids who play in the 9C each and every year have it. High school basketball is still about kids playing the game because they love it, and there isn't any other event like a district tournament. I've been covering the 9C for eight years now, and it never ceases to amaze me when I see high school kids taking to the Havre High gymnasium floor to lay it all on the line — not because they have to or because they are getting paid. Instead, kids play their hearts out each and every day and night because of the name on the front of their jeresy. They do it because of the color of their uniform. It's about pride for their school and for their community and it's on display every day during the third week in February in Havre, This year's 9C tournament is only a day old, yet there was plenty of what I'm talking about on display during the first night session of the tournament. The Turner girls are back in the 9C tournament after a one-year hiatus. On Wednesday night, it was obvious pretty quickly that Turner was overmatched by 9C power Big Sandy, yet there were players in green and black diving on the floor for loose balls, playing defense as hard as they could and hustling on every play. The Turner girls have already exemplified everything that is right with high school basketball in just one game in the tournament. After their loss to Big Sandy, Turner players were all smiles, not because they didn't care that they had just lost their tourney opener, but because they got to play at all. The Tornado girls were excited at the prospect of competing and despite being a huge underdog, they went and gave it everything they had. That's what high shcool basketball is all about and that's what the 9C represents each and every year. Following the girls game Wednesday night, the Turner boys also suffered a lopsided loss. But in years of covering Turner basketball, the one thing I can say with certainty is that a Turner team will play hard for 32 minutes. Tornado players will never appear to be out of a game no matter what the scoreboard says because they play so hard, chase after loose balls, and never stop running. That's because Turner players, like so many other small-town hoopsters, have a passion for the game, a passion for playing for their school, and it culminates with this week in Havre. The 9C tournament is a special time in the lives of so many young basketball players. It's their shot to take center stage. It's their shot to trump professional and college basketball, and for one week, even the bigger Montana schools. Nowhere was that more evident than in the two games Turner played Wednesday night. And while both Tornado teams may have been on the wrong end of the final score, they are both a big part of why this tournament, this week is so important to fans and their communities, and why its so important to the players themselves. Turner brought out the best of the 9C on opening night, and all of us who will be there all week should be glad there's still three more days of basketball passion left to go.
The passion of basketball was on display during 9C's opening night
From the fringe... George Ferguson
Published: Thursday, February 18th, 2010
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Comments (10)
By Go Class C!! on February 20th, 2010 at 00:50am
As a member of the Turner community, I commend Mr. Ferguson for writing an article about what High School sports should stand for. Class C schools across Montana are all struggling with declining enrollments, therefore making it more and more difficult to field sports teams. Anthony stated Turner was not in it from the start, but is that any reason to quit and give up? I think our students’ work ethics and pride should be commended as they compete on the courts with teams who outmatch them. It shows their determination to not quit and give up, but to represent our community and school to the best of their ability. If you never try, you will never know what could be. Our students will gain far more life lessons from this than if they were on a winning team, as they have already learned to not give up. I am proud of our basketball teams, even if they had a poor season based on the score clock. Anthony needs to remember there can only be one winner in a game, and sometimes the same team ends up on the bottom end more often. As Raider Pride stated, Class C schools do have heart and integrity, as small communities have to rely on each other to survive. The entire community is a team, not just on the basketball court. I am proud to live in a small community and thankful for the closeness we share. The score does not always portray the true winner. We, as Class C schools, have to continue to fight and be proud of who we are.
By fan11 on February 19th, 2010 at 23:47pm
Wow! What an amazing article. A big thank you to George for taking the time to write something so nice. The kids will remember this for years to come. Anthony, a little encouragement once in a while goes a long way. We are all proud of our Class C schools and it wouldn't matter who the article was written about. It was a good thing. Let's stop being so critical of eachother!
By Ann on February 19th, 2010 at 15:38pm
Thank you for taking the time to acknowledge all the hard work that the high school age kids put into their sports. At times there is no recognition for all the 6:00am practices, late after school practices and all the time and effort they have to put in to maintain the grades just to remain eligible to play. Most of the kids also work at home on ranches or farms after school and weekends. We couldn't be prouder!! Thank you again..
By rural pride on February 19th, 2010 at 15:19pm
This was a great article. Finally something postive, whether it is about my hometown, Turner, or any one of the many small communities in Montana. We have great kids who still take pride in themselves and their community. We will stive to keep that alive forever. A previous comment here leads me to think that unless you have experienced life in one of our small towns you don't know what you are talking about.
By A Tornado Fan! on February 19th, 2010 at 15:10pm
Thank You “Raider Pride†for your positive note. I was so pleased to read this article, and not just because it was about Turner. There are many schools in the state of Montana suffering from declining enrollments, and when that happens, it is very difficult to field a team. Kids in these small rural communities learn the importance of being proud of where they are from, and also proud to represent their school. We do not always have a choice of how many athletes we have, or what kind of athletes we have, as every school faces different obstacles. We are just very proud our students work as hard as they do, and continue to represent our school and community with their heads held high. Our kids already have learned to work hard never give up, even if theodds are not in your favor. Maybe if more people had this attitude in the workforce we would have more productive employees. The life lessons they will learn from this are sometimes far more valuable than what is learned from always being the winner. As "Raider Pride" stated above, it is awesome to be a part of a small community that is always there to lift you up in a down moment. Maybe “Anthony†felt Turner was out of the game from the get go, but is that a reason to have or not to have a team? As Turner is not the only small school struggling to field teams in athletics, I hope every class C district continues to prove their dedication and school pride by participating and going forth. As Mr. Ferguson stated, the Tornadoes play hard for 32 minutes. Isn’t this the work ethics we are striving to instill in our kids today? With this kind of attitude, there is no doubt success will eventually come to these individuals. Be proud Tornadoes, and every other small class C school!!
By A Fan on February 19th, 2010 at 12:52pm
I have to disagree with Anthony. Passion in sports is not about winning! It's how you play the game! For the kids to be want to play & play their heart out when they only have a handful of players says alot. We don't want kids to just give up if they can't win!
By tornado fan!!! on February 19th, 2010 at 12:26pm
I agree with "raider pride" and strongly disagree with "anthony." Coming from a small town myself, I know what it's like to always be on the losing end of things, but our hearts are strong and the passion is still there. As for anthony, it is because of people like you that kids don't want to play sports. Your probably one of those people who blames the loss on everyone but yourself. You should be ashamed of yourself, and I hope one day soon you are on the losing end of something!!!
By Raider Pride on February 19th, 2010 at 11:04am
Sir I find your article truely from the heart. These small class C School do have the passion and heart, like no other. In the 3c and it is evident here too. Winner or loser everyone has the passion, more sports writer should write letters like this. Its hard to keep the kids going when they struggle to get a "W" but the triumph at the end is the heart and spirit from within. Being part of the big picture the atmosphere and integrity is AWESOME. CLass C fans rock. Our little community has struggled after a horrific car accident that left a fellow schoolmate dead and his sister with serious injuries..Our school and community as well as many other schools in our area have rallied around us and supported us and their family throughout the season and at our tourney yesterday everyone work Pink for KD. It was heart warming and absolute awesome to be part of. Go Tornadoes keep the fight and school spirit alive.........
By Anthony on February 19th, 2010 at 00:29am
While you probably do have to be nice while writing these articles, it's sort of ridiculous. Turner is out of the game from the get go, they haven't won a single one! There's a fine line between courtesy and bad journalism and you're teetering buddy. The passion is everywhere in HS sports but that right there is a HORRIBLE example. Good day to you.
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I have enjoyed watching all the girls and boys of THS play BB this season. It is just awesome to see their determination and watching each one improve over the season. These kids are great and whether we win of whether we lose we're Turner just the same. Attitude is a big factor when playing BB or living life. I know where the Tornadoes attitude is and how these kids will be able to deal with ups and downs in their life but how will Anthony’s attitude affect his live and all those around him?