Posted on: Friday, May 6, 2005

By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Columnist

You can't blame the Kalaheo High School girls basketball team for its disappointment over having the home-court advantage taken away for the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds of the O'ahu Interscholastic Association Tournament that opened last night.

The Mustangs should be upset that something hard earned through an 11-1 record in the regular season has been pulled out from under them just now and in this manner.

But the target of that indignation shouldn't be the OIA's protest/interpretation/sanctioning committee that imposed the sanctions Wednesday. (Could there be a more bureaucratic name?)

No, the blame belongs squarely on those, such as the spectator who came out of the seats to shove a referee from behind, whose irresponsible actions at last Saturday's Kalaheo-Kaiser game made security such a concern. Ultimately, that's who let the Mustangs down.

Without that kind of behavior, the whole issue never is thrown into the hands of a committee in the first place. Without it, the Kalaheo gym is packed with family and friends tonight the way it should be instead of being moved to Radford.

But because of the incidents last Saturday, the OIA has felt forced to take preventive measures beyond the extra security that was pledged by the Kalaheo athletic director. It is charged with protecting players, fans and property. If it erred, it is on the side of caution and responsibility.

Though it was left unsaid in so many words, you suspect the OIA's action was also intended to send a message to the high school community as a whole. Namely, that even one, or a couple problem spectators, are capable of ruining a good thing for a whole lot of people.

It serves as a pointed reminder not just to future troublemakers but also to those around them who might be able to defuse a situation before it develops. Basically, the message is: If you don't want your players to have to face these kind of penalties, then police yourselves because you might not like the consequences.

Despite the recent rash of incidents, sporting events here have generally been trouble-free and you'd hate to see that change to everybody's detriment. It would be unfortunate if high school games here ever become like they have been in some large cities where, out of fear of fan violence, some games have been forced to be played in near-empty gyms.

What happened to Kalaheo is, then, a warning for everybody. A wake-up call for those who would get carried away and a reminder for all that it will not be tolerated.

The sad part is that the Mustangs, both one of the state's perennial powerhouses and a class act, have done nothing to deserve the situation in which they now find themselves.

Sadder still would be if the lesson has to later be repeated upon someone else.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.