At Academy High School in Oklahoma City, a girls’ basketball moment that at first seemed like a dramatic championship finish turned into a lesson in honesty and character. The Academy girls hit a buzzer-beater that appeared to win their division title. As the team celebrated their “first championship ever,” coach Brendan King felt uneasy and later went home to review the game tape.
When he recounted every basket and checked the scoreboard, he discovered the team had actually lost — a scoreboard confusion had masked the correct result. Though league rules say a game’s final score stands once the contest ends, Coach King told his players the truth. The team debated what to do and, unanimously, decided to appeal their own victory and asked that the trophy be awarded to the other team. Players described the choice as the right thing to do and a teaching moment about what matters beyond winning.
After their story was shared publicly, the team received widespread praise on social media. Last night in a ceremony in Oklahoma City, the girls and Coach King were honored with the Spirit of Oklahoma Award, presented annually by Oklahoma Christian University to people who embody true character. In their smiles and acceptance, the team demonstrated that you don’t always have to win to be a winner. Steve Hartman reported the update from Oklahoma City.