Fort Scott High wins Sportsmanship Award

Fort Scott High students supports the girls' basketball team during the semifinal of the Class 4A State Tournament March 8 in Salina. Fort Scott and Wamego received the tournament's Sportsmanship Award from the KSHSAA. (Tribune file photo)

Fort Scott High School has received recognition from the Kansas State High School Activities Association for sportsmanship at the Class 4A State Basketball Tournament, held in Salina March 6-9.

Fort Scott and state champion Wamego were awarded medals and a plaque by the KSHSAA while Labette County, Clearwater and Pratt received certificates. Medals and plaques are awarded to schools which participated in all three rounds of the tournament while certificates go to whose which were eliminated in the first round.

"A special sportsmanship committee appointed by the KSHSAA evaluated and rated the cheerleaders, school cheering section, adult and non-high school followers, team and coach of each school," the association said in a media release.

"The Kansas State High School Activities Association, through its member schools, defines sportsmanship as those qualities of behavior which are characterized by generosity and genuine concern for others. Further, an awareness is expected of the impact of an individual's influence on the behavior of others," the release said.

Fort Scott and Wamego faced each other in the semifinal round of the tournament. Fort Scott went on to finish third with a win over Paola on March 9. Later that day, Wamego defeated defending champion McPherson for the title.

Fort Scott also won medals and a plaque in 1996, when the Tigers finished in fourth place in Class 5A. That team and this year's squads are the only ones in the history of the girls' program to reach the semifinals.