Lesson for LeBron: Anatomy of a "Beautiful Loss"

In light of LeBron James' departure, we at the Collinwood Observer thought it would be appropriate to run a story we didn't have room for in the regular high school basketball season, that demonstrates the true spirit of the sport and its players. This story was submitted this past Spring, by Arnita Washington, a regular writer for the Collinwood Observer and a student at Collinwood High School.

Earlier this season our Lady Railroaders suffered their first loss when they faced Glenville. The girls played like winners, and shook their hands. The crowds were roaring and taunting. Tranita Mckenzie #21 said all she could do was remember not to get mad. Sheleah Combs #41 also had to remember to keep her composure because she felt cheated out of another game. Although our JV also lost with a deficit of 27, they stayed in the game and finished it because of what their teammate De’shay Smith told them, “We’re all we got, so there is no giving up!”

They came out and played hard. Coach Williams and Coach Malone put their faith in them to bring it home but most importantly to remember the games they played as seniors, juniors, sophomores, and some as freshman. A lot of them were pleased that they played like champions. Dijanay Miller was one. In her eyes, they did win because they hustled and played so hard. Some felt like they let everyone down and even disappointed the people that actually believed in them. De’shay Smith, Shalon Noel, and Jade Jackson, were disappointed in the way it turned out but not in their teammates. Ashley Green felt like it was something they could have done better that would have changed a loss into a win.

This was a beautiful loss on the Collinwood side, and you may ask me why, so I'll tell you. This was a beautiful loss because of the heart they played with and how they never gave up and most importantly because they wore Collinwood on their chests and wore it with pride after they lost. Our Lady Railroaders’ strength that they have as a team is inspiring because of how they stick together, through all of it. They play their hearts out every game, and even if they lose, they still have faith in themselves. In order to win you have to lose some games.

So this is a shout out to Tatiana Lawyson #10, Imani Blane #42, Shay #3, Jade Jackson #33, Ashley Green #35, Shalon Noel #13, De’shay Smith #45, Shaleah Combs #41, Tranita Mckenzie #21, Candice Hawkins #33, Katrina Felder #55, Brittany Smith #23, Dijanay Miller #15 and to anyone I may have forgotten. WOOOOOODD!!!!