The game within a game is what people will remember

Tournament basketball was everything it was supposed to be last week, as Clear Lake hosted its next-door neighbor and rival Garner-Hayfield/Ventura for a District semi-final game.  The game was fast, evenly played and fans were on their feet almost constantly supporting their teams. But it was the game within a game that many will remember long after the 2014 season comes to a close.

As the two teams went to the locker room at halftime, a cheer broke out from the student sections.

“Red Rover, Red Rover, send Jimmy Ermer right over!”

Ermer, a GHV senior, scampered to the Clear Lake student section to the applause of all.  

GHV students took their turns, too.  They called over Zach Zwiefel to cheer with them and he obliged.  Someone even had the great idea to invite the Clear Lake Dance Team on over-- probably the GHV boys. 

And back and forth it went.  As halftime came to a close, the shout went out to “send everybody on over” and the two student sections swapped sides of the gym.  Leaving black and gold and red and black faithful a little confused, but amused.

They were also amazed.  

As the game ended and the two girls teams met at center court to shake hands, the student sections followed suit.  

“At the end if the game, my thought was, ‘This is what great looks like,’” said GHV Superintendent Tyler Williams. 

“It was an awesome night and a display of sportsmanship that I have never witnessed between two schools,” said CLHS Principal Chris Murphy.  “The students were a true model of how to have fun in supporting their teams.”