Verona trailed Wheaton by a single point with just a shade over 8 seconds remaining in a basketball contest that had been brutal and back and forth.

Regulation and one overtime had not been enough to settle the contest, and the Wildcats were looking to escape with a much needed conference win.

The atmosphere in the old gym at Verona High School was electric. The crowd created the best home court advantage in the bi-county area — bar none.

The play design was simple. Get the ball to Verona’s best player, have the other four players spread out and crash the board if necessary.

While driving to the hoop, a mass of Bulldog bodies appeared to swat more than leather, causing the shot attempt to be altered and the shooter’s arm to display discoloring. Yet, no foul was called, and time expired with the Bulldogs escaping with a win.

The uproar from the fans was to be expected. The officials were rushed off the court while one team celebrated and another tried to grasp with the agony of defeat.

It took Verona Coach Brad Stewart over an hour to address his team and final make his way out to speak to the lone media representative (me).

Stewart didn’t blame the officiating, but used the game as a teachable moment. He told them the lack of a call wasn’t the real reason they lost.

He pointed to the fact that his team shot only 50 percent from the free throw line in the second half. He mentioned how they committed too many turnovers and how they started to slow to begin the game.

Then Stewart added, “This is just a game. Sometimes you get breaks and sometimes you don’t, but the sun will rise in the east tomorrow and won’t care about the results of tonight.”

One of the most important, but hardest, lessons for any player or parent, and especially the fans, to learn is that sports are just a game.

I understand and don’t wish in any way to minimize the sacrifices and dedication players and parents make to provide opportunities to play, nor the enormous amount of hours put into practice.

Granted, I do not attend the same amount of contests now that I did a decade ago, but in 22 basketball games this season I have witnessed two fan ejections, two fan warnings and a bench technical assessed.

Try as I may, I learned to accept the fact that wherever I go, I represent my employer.

People associated me with the places I work and the local businesses I run. Never am I just run of the mill, plain old Jared Lankford.

How I act is a direct representation of the entities that I am associated with. It doesn’t matter if it is fair or not.

Recently, a local school district issued a letter to all of its students, parents and community members.

The district outlined 10 reminders to keep in mind while attending their sporting events.

Included in the bulletin point letter were:

• Remember that you are at the contest to support and yell for your team and to enjoy the skill and competition on display, not to intimidate or ridicule the other team or its fans.

• Game officials can ask that school administrators have unruly fans removed from a contest facility.

• There is no such thing as a “right” to attend interscholastic athletics. In fact, interscholastic athletics are considered a “privilege” and the spectator who avails himself of it is expected to conduct himself or herself accordingly.

• The school is responsible for the behavior of spectators at home games. The school can be and will be punished for the action of patrons in violation of MSHSAA standards and rules.

I understand what it means to be a passionate fan, but when that passion boils over and causes you to lash out, then it is a problem.

While you may not care how you act or what you say at games, it does reflect upon the school’s reputation that you cheer for.

I think we can all learn from what Brad Stewart told his team years ago — It is just a game and the sun will rise in the east tomorrow.

Jared Lankford is the sports reporter for Monett Monthly and has more than 15 years experience covering Monett-area athletics. He may be reached at [email protected]