I'm not going to pretend to cut this up into a cute little story. This is a verbatim letter, self-explanatory at that, just enjoy the good sportsmanship of our kids in the Sioux Empire.

This email from Marshall High School activities director Bruce Remme to MSHSL media specialist John Millea provides another great example of sportsmanship. It took place after a basketball game between Marshall and Sioux Falls Lincoln...

John,

We had a great experience last night that I thought you would appreciate.

Last night (Friday 1/4/13) we hosted Sioux Falls Lincoln in a border battle boys basketball game. It was a well-played, physical high school basketball game that ended in a 81-65 victory for the home team. However, it was what happened after the game that made the night memorable.

Immediately following the game, we began cleaning up the gym so we could get set up for our annual gymnastics invitational Saturday morning. As we were busy working, the players from Lincoln began filing out of their locker room and into the hallway where they were gathering while waiting for the rest of their teammates to finish up. As the Lincoln players began noticing our gymnasts, parents, custodial staff start the parade of mats and equipment across the hall from gymnastics practice facility into the main gym, something wonderful happened. The Lincoln players pitched in.

After just having lost a hard-fought game, the players from Sioux Falls Lincoln set down their bags, shed their coats, and helped move all of our gymnastics equipment into the gym. They did so unsolicited and with smiles on their faces. It was one of the classiest gestures I’ve had the pleasure to witness by any high school team.

The team from Sioux Falls Lincoln left Marshall with their first loss of the season and a couple cases of PowerAde as a thank you for their muscle. But what they left here was far greater. They left an outstanding impression of kindness and a great display of sportsmanship. They helped remind us all that high school sports provide more opportunities than competition alone. Hats of to the Lincoln Patriot players and coaches for being first class on and off the court.

Thanks for the opportunity to share. Have a great weekend.
Bruce

More From KSOO-AM / ESPN Sioux Falls