Lessons on the Court: What Are We Really Teaching Our Kids?

In Portland, a middle school basketball team is learning more than just the game. The King Middle School eighth-grade team is made up mostly of new players and first-time coaches. They are trying their best, but wins are not coming easy. The team has lost every game, often by a large margin.

During most games, opposing teams show basic sportsmanship. They don't go all out against the new players. But two recent home games stood out.

The Games That Stood Out

Windham and Falmouth schools won big, but they didn't stop there. They kept their best players in the game the whole time. They stole the ball a lot. They laughed and celebrated in a way that seemed mean.

• Windham celebrated when they scored 67 points, while King had only 6.
• Falmouth did something similar in the last minutes of their game. They had all their players shoot three-pointers just to keep scoring.

The King Players' Response

The King players didn't give up, though. They kept playing their best.

The Bigger Picture

King Middle School has fewer resources than Windham and Falmouth. Their gym is smaller, and there are no bleachers. Parents often can't attend the games. Many King players come from families seeking asylum. This adds stress to their lives.

But the bigger question is: What are these games teaching the kids?

• Winning is important, but how teams win matters too.
• Coaches should help players understand this.
• Sports can teach more than just the game. They can teach respect, fairness, and how to be good people.