Sportsmanship, not rivalry, at South Tahoe High-Truckee High basketball game

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There has always been a strong rivalry between South Tahoe High and Truckee High but in just one minute that changed and what came out of their February 7th basketball game was an extreme case of sportsmanship, team and school spirit, and class.

It was Senior Night at the South Tahoe High School (STHS) gym for the Vikings varsity boys basketball team. This special night brings out more families and community members so the stands had lots of spectators. Seniors on the STHS Dance Team, Cheer Team and Basketball Team walked across the floor to be honored and celebrated.

It turned out the real celebration was going to happen in the last 74 seconds of play in the game.

Senior Tasil Patel isn't a player but is a valuable part of the team as he fills the duties as their manager. He has been part of the school's basketball family for five years but he had never gone into a basketball game to play while at South Tahoe High.

On Friday, that changed.

"The team and coaches had been talking about Tasil putting on a Uniform all season," said STHS Coach David Finnegan. "From the moment he ran out in the uniform the crowd went wild."

Chants from the crowd in the student section of "We Want Tasil" started strong in the 4th period. Tasil responded from the bench with a smile but showed no sign of going into the game. The chants became more frequent and louder and came from all those in the bleachers, but still, just a smile from Tasil and no movement to go into the game.

Friends, coaches, and teammates of his were trying to convince him that if he were to ever play, this was the moment. As players were substituted in, the encouragement to get Tasil on the floor appeared to be fruitless.

Even players and coaches from the Truckee Wolverine side were joining in, encouraging Tasil to play.

And this is where a not soon to be forgotten and classic sign of sportsmanship and compassion comes into play.

The Vikings were up 67-48 with 1:14 left to play in the game when Sky Nelson, the Truckee head coach called a timeout to get Tasil into the game.

Truckee's #23 Ethan Flynn tapped Coach Finnegan on the shoulder as he was headed to his bench, and asked to get Tasil into the game as they wanted him to play as well as did the STHS team and supporters.

The crowd erupted when STHS #23 got off the bench and went to the scorer's table to check into the game. The attached video from the STHS Thunderclap Club shows the excitement and everyone on their feet, especially Tasil's teammates.

Tasil took a few shots, missing from three-point range and up close, but everyone on the court was not going to let him get away without scoring a basket. The game was almost over when Truckee's #20 Luis Gaiten rebounded one of Tasil's missed shots with 9.4 seconds left in the game and instead of trying to go down the court and score himself, he tossed the ball to Tasil.

Tasil shot, he scored, the crowd and all the players went wild!

"The energy and support of the crowd were overwhelming," said Coach Finnegan. "It will be a night to remember and a true tribute that high school sports are not just about the wins and losses."

It was that assist on the final play by Truckee's Gaiten that gave Tasil and the crowd what they wanted.

"The focus of the game was lost as the celebration ensued," said STHS Vice-Principal Pat Harnett who is also the school's athletic administrator.

There were not many dry eyes in the stands as the momentous occasion was celebrated and the teamwork by both sides was acknowledged and appreciated.

"STHS coach David Finnegan had talked to me about Tasil before the game," said Harnett. "What an excellent way to appreciate a young man who just wanted to be part of the team! It was great to see each member of the STHS team gathering around him, encouraging him, along with the chants from the student section and everyone else in the gym. I think we will all remember this one for a long time."

It is now back to business as the Vikings are preparing to head to Northern Nevada 3A playoffs. They play against Fernley High School at 6:20 p.m. this Thursday (February 20) at Churchill County High School in Fallon, Nev.

Many thanks to South Tahoe High Thunderclap, STHS's student video crew lead by Travis Steil. The clip was taken from their full video which is 100 percent done by students.

The video can also be seen here: https://youtu.be/LipO3gDVLKs.