Prep Voices : Have Fun, Monarchs, You Won

Today’s fable, kids, is the tortoise and the hare.

It’s the old story, but with a twist. This time the hare wakes up and wins, then pouts about the closeness of the race.

Once upon a time in a Pond, Mater Dei and Edison were playing for the Southern Section Division I boys’ basketball championship.

Now, as everyone knows, Mater Dei has a sleek and fast program. The Monarchs, after all, had won eight section titles in 11 years heading into the season. They collect some of the best players in Southern California and unleash them on lesser teams.

The Monarchs were undefeated heading into the playoffs and considered the second-best team in the nation by one highly subjective poll. Safe to say no one in Orange County could run with them--figuratively or literally.

Edison? Well, the Chargers plodded through the Sunset League, finishing fourth. They worked their way through the playoffs, with one upset after another. The end of the line was the championship game. No matter how well the Chargers played, they were not going to win this game.

Heck, some thought Mater Dei could send out its junior varsity and still win.

The Monarchs, as expected, took a big lead in the final quarter, then fell asleep. By the time they awoke, the Chargers were on their tail. Twice in the final minute, Edison pulled to within four.

The Monarchs held on for a 65-59 victory, thanks to Miles Simon’s free-throw shooting. But there was no celebrating on the winning side.

No, instead, Monarch players were in a funk. They sat, heads bowed, as if they were ashamed of the victory. Center Shaun Jackson looked as if someone had run over his puppy. Later, the team got a good tongue-lashing in the locker room from Coach Gary McKnight.

Edison players, meanwhile, were jubilant even in defeat. They had run stride for stride with one of the best programs in the nation. Their coach, Larry Hirst, praised his players.

The moral of this story: Hey, have some fun . . . even when you win.