Something that should never happen in Youth Sports

Girl, 12, told she can't play ball with boysby FOXSports.com



Updated: May 26, 2008, 12:56 PM EST 346 comments add this RSS blog email print You play ball like a girl.

That used to be an insult. In Beaverton, Oregon, it's becoming more like a fantasy.

Jaime Nared, a 12-year-old girl who stands 6-foot-1, has been told she can no longer play on the boys team of which she has been a member since the second grade, according to a report on the Web site of The Oregonian. Curiously, the timing of her ban came in the wake of a 30-point effort against an all-boys team.

"She scored 30 points," Jaime's mom, Reiko Williams, told The Oregonian. "I remember one play. She stole the ball, dribbled up court and made a behind-the-back pass to a teammate. He missed the lay-in, and she grabbed the rebound and put it in. I think it was just too much for some of those parents.

"The next day, she came home and said they wouldn't let her play with the boys anymore."

Last month, a group of parents from an opposing team told management at The Hoop, a private Beaverton basketball facility that runs the league in which Nared's team competes, that they didn't like Nared playing against their sons. Hoop officials then told Nared's coach, Michael Abraham, that she could no longer play, citing a league rule that prohibits mixed-gender teams, the newspaper reported.

"I never saw the rule," said Abraham, who has coached basketball for 32 years.

"If I'd known about it, I wouldn't have put any of my teams in the league. Besides, she's been playing on this team since second grade, and she plays on our team when we travel around the region. There's never been any problem in any event, not one word of complaint."

Neal Franzer, The Hoop's director of operations, told the paper that parents were "adamant" their complaints had nothing to do with Jaime's skills.

"They said the problem was the boys were playing differently against her because she was a girl," Franzer said, according to the paper. "They'd been taught to not push a girl, so they weren't fouling her hard, and the focus had shifted from playing basketball to noticing a girl was on the floor with them.

"The rule may not have been enforced in past years," Franzer said. "We have new management this year. It's policy, and we enforce policy."

Nared, however, had a different take.

"I think the boys on a specific team don't like me," she said. "It doesn't seem fair."

Abraham was also skeptical about the ruling.

"I can't think of one boy that we've played against that's had a problem with her," he said. "Maybe their dads do. Teach the boys how to handle her. Front her, deny her the ball. You sure as hell don't complain. Listen, she's a girl's girl, but she plays tough. She's no cupcake. She gets knocked down and takes a charge."

The Natural

One of my favorite movies of all time is "The Natural." There is a former pitcher named Rick Ankiel who is now an outfielder. He lost his confidence as a pitcher, went down to the minors, and became an incredible hitter. Here is a clip of two throws he made the other night from centerfield. These are the best I have ever seen!!!

NBA Playoffs Update

So the Celts survived their scare from the Hawks, and they have taken a 2-0 lead over the CAVS. I doubt the Cavs can come back. There are too few weapons outside LeBron. I think the Magic have a shot at beating the Pistons, but I still like Detroit.

In the West, The Spurs should still come back and win the series against the Hornets, and The Lakers should win the whole West.

Still think their will be a Celts/Lakers finals.

I will say that Kobe Bryant has been playing flawless basketball and if you have a chance to watch him play, do it. He is the best player since a man they call MJ!