This column represents the thoughts and opinions of Jason Hennington. This is NOT the opinion of the Taylor Press.
Last week, I witnessed a pure act of embarrassment after a high school basketball game. Yes, a high school basketball game in Taylor.
The Taylor Ducks boys played the Giddings Buffaloes, and the intensity from the game spilled from between the lines into the parking lot. Police were involved, and Criminal Trespass Warnings were issued, which will prevent the recipients from attending Taylor ISD events in the future.
The refs let the kids play, and the yes, the game got chippy. So much so that a number of Taylor players were suspended for Tuesday’s game against Smithville. However, once the game ended, the players shook hands and went to their locker rooms. However, some adults let their emotions get the best of them, and the situation extended to the parking lot. Witnesses said there was a threat of gun violence. As I watched everything that transpired, I thought, “What in the world is happening?”
Initially, I thought to pull out my phone and film the situation, maybe even go live and expose these people for their inappropriate actions.
I thought this was an embarrassing situation, and I can post this and expose the foolishness of overzealous parents.
I decided against it because a video of the incident could have been spun into something that it wasn’t.
You have two African American women screaming, cussing and being belligerent, and a group of white police officers trying to de-escalate the situation.
Race had nothing to do with this situation, but if I, a black man, films this and posts it, people could share it and create a false narrative.
The Taylor Police Department handled the situation correctly. Officers did not draw weapons, and no one was arrested. One of the Giddings fans was persistent about trying to get to an individual from Taylor but was held back. Officers arrived under the impression that there could possibly be a gun involved, yet no weapons were drawn.
This could have become a Black Lives Matter incident that wasn’t legit, and it would have been my fault. The situation was actually parents living their childhoods through their children’s talents.
As a parent, I understand cheering and supporting your children and the team. Also, as a parent, you have to set an example and show sportsmanship before, during and after the game.
A few years ago, I wrote a similar column about parents during youth basketball games yelling at kids, usually kids that aren’t yet teenagers, and belittling them as they play. This was a similar situation, except it went a few steps beyond an on-thecourt battle. There were no NBA or college scouts at the game, and the only people getting paid were the coaches and refs, and none of them are paid enough to deal with this foolishness.
When parents act in this manner, it can motivate the kids to not want to play. My dad was one of the loudest people in the stands at basketball games for me and my brother—he coached my sister—but he left it all in the stands or on the sidelines when the game ended. My suggestion is all parents should take notes and do the same.
I’m going to get off my soapbox now and go watch the big football game Sunday night. If this was an advertisement, I couldn’t say Super Bowl… but it’s not.
“If high school sports is supposed to prepare kids for life outside of basketball, then teaching them other ways to show respect after the game is better for society as a whole.”
Matt Sargeant, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame basketball coach
