I just found a high school girls basketball team that handles defeat a lot better than teams handle victory and will profile them tomorrow in The Bee.
The Johnson Warriors measure victories in the smallest milestone moments of fundamental success. They have lost 46 consecutive games in Metro Conference play and are 1-62 overall over the last four seasons under three coaches.
They lost 105-2 on Thursday night at Bee No. 4 Florin, and that's no typo, though we all wish it was. It's the most lop-sided score I can recall in my Bee stint (since 1988).
Johnson coach Jeanie Huizar glowed about her team's resolve, tenacity, thirst to improve and desire to practice. The Warriors have no players with year-round, travel-ball experience. Most haven't played the game until this season. Some still struggle to dribble, to screen, to shoot properly. But they care and they compete, and Huizar says "that's a victory in my book any day."
And they want no sympathy. The Warriors didn't want to quit and go home after it was 69-0 at the half at Florin. Johnson scored on two free throws "and we celebrated like it was a championship," Huizar said.
Huizar said Florin did not run up the score or rub it in. There was no full-court press. Her team was simply overwhelmed. Florin players, parents and coaches told Johnson players they appreciated their effort and admired them for sticking it out
Said Huizar, "people at school give our girls a hard time, but our girls wonder why they don't come out and play, and our girls have the courage to compete."
Bravo to that.
Florin coach Larry Price said his team can relate to horrific routs. His Panthers were 0-27 just four seasons ago. It took time, he said, to build from nothing.
Reminder: I join Mike Finnerty on the SureWest Sports Radio Show to talk about handling blowout losses. Also on topic: football recruiting with Shaq Thompson, Arik Armstead, Jalen Cope-Fitzpatrick. We will have two guests: Former Jesuit catcher and Giants draftee Andrew Susac and Jesuit basketball coach Greg Harcos to preview his school's Father Kelly Tribute on Saturday that includes local powers Franklin, Foothill, Pleasant Grove and Jesuit. We air each Saturday from 9-10 a.m. on ESPN1320 with show linked later on ESPN1320.net
Follow Joe Davidson on Twitter: sb_joedavidson
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