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Crusaders Came Close To 100

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By KATHERINE SMITH

ksmith@tampatrib.com

Published: January 28, 2009

TAMPA - Wilt Chamberlain became an NBA legend when he scored 100 points against the New York Knicks in 1962.

A Texas high school girls basketball coach was just fired after his team put up 100 points against a weaker team.

Chamberlain's accomplishment was revered, while The Covenant School's recent 100-point victory has been mostly reviled.

In girls basketball, 100 is a taboo number. And it cost Micah Grimes his job.

The former coach of The Covenant School was fired Sunday, 12 days after his team defeated the Dallas Academy 100-0. Grimes disagreed with school administrators who called the blowout "shameful" and refused to apologize for the wide margin of victory.

The private Christian school posted a statement on its Web site soon after the game expressing regret for the outcome.

"It is shameful and an embarrassment that this happened," the statement read. "This clearly does not reflect a Christlike and honorable approach to competition."

Just days before The Covenant School drew national attention to the number 100, Tampa Catholic coach Nancy Kroll wrestled with the consequences of posting that score.

"My high school coach was the same way," Kroll said. "He never wanted to reach 100."

The Crusaders came close this season. They defeated Lennard 98-21 on Jan. 10. Kroll did all but tell her girls not to shoot to ensure the number wouldn't get to 100.

"You're subbing all your players and it's a running clock," Kroll said. "It's hard because you want your girls to compete, but you also have to think about what it would do to the other team."

In The Covenant School's case, Dallas Academy was the other team. The Dallas Academy's varsity team consists of eight players, and it hasn't won a game in the past four seasons.

It is a small school that specializes in helping students with learning difficulties such as dyslexia.

The main page of the Dallas Academy's Web site reveals its simple mission statement: "Education Reclaimed. Confidence is restored. Frustration is lessened. Barriers are overcome. Learning takes place. Success is possible at Dallas Academy."

Unlike Florida, Texas high school basketball doesn't employ a running clock or have a mercy rule when a team is leading by a certain number of points.

Maybe they will rethink that policy now.

Reporter Katherine Smith can be reached at (813) 259-7860.

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