High school basketball teams banned from postseason for trying to lose
The girls basketball teams of Riverdale High and Smyrna High in Tennessee have been removed from the state playoffs after both teams tried to lose a district consolation matchup against each other over the weekend to get a more favorable draw for the regional playoffs.
The Daily News Journal reports that referees became upset as both teams missed free throws on purpose, while also racking up half court and 10-second violations in an effort to turn the ball over to the other team.
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Eventually refs called a conference between the coaches when a player lined up to take a shot at the wrong basket, according to the Journal.
"That was when I called both coaches together and told them we are not going to make a travesty or mockery of the game. WE ARE NOT GOING TO START TRYING TO SHOOT AND SCORE FOR THE OTHER TEAM."
Smyrna eventually won the game 55-29 after a school administrator told the team's coach to stop with the unorthodox tactic and play to win.
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The schools asked that the girls be allowed to continue in the playoffs with the coaches serving suspension, but the state's high school athletics organization decided to remove both teams from the bracket.
[Deadspin]
- Brendan Maloy
