Topeka, Kan. – Promoting sportsmanship at all Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) events remains a priority for the association and its member schools. The second annual League Sportsmanship Award gave each league/conference the opportunity to identify a KSHSAA Basketball Sportsmanship League/Conference Champion. A total of 36 Kansas high schools were eligible for recognition, with one selected per league or conference by their peers.
“The KSHSAA made a commitment to our member schools to continue emphasizing the value of sportsmanship in education-based activities and athletic programs,” Assistant Executive Director of Fine Arts and Spirit Megan Hagaman said. “This award is a wonderful testimony to our schools’ professionalism and efforts to promote positive sportsmanship with our outstanding students.”
Following the conclusion of the basketball season, the member schools voted to identify their respective League Sportsmanship Champion. School leaders evaluated sportsmanship demonstrated by the girls’ and boys’ teams (players and coaches), spirit squads, pep bands, and crowds based upon school performance throughout the season.
Winners and League or Conference Represented
· Andover Central – AVCTL I & II
· Andale – AVCTL III & IV
· Sabetha – Big East League
· Manhattan – Centennial League
· Hillsboro – Central Kansas League
· Medicine Lodge – Central Plains
· Ness City – Central Prairie League
· Blue Valley West – Eastern Kansas League
· West Franklin – Flint Hills League
· Bonner Springs – Frontier League
· Cimarron – Great West Activities Conference
· Wichita-Northwest – Greater Wichita League
· Berean Academy – Heart of America League
· Cunningham – Heart of the Plains League
· Southwestern Heights – Hi-Plains League
· Bishop Seabury Academy – Kaw Valley Conference
· Marais Des Cygnes Valley – Lyon County League
· Sumner Academy – Meadowlark Conference
· Trego Community – Mid-Continent League
· Chapman – North Central Kansas League
· McLouth – Northeast Kansas League
· Natoma – Northern Plains League
· Santa Fe Trail – Pioneer League
· Moscow – Santa Fe Trail League
· Burden-Central – South Central Border League
· Parsons – Southeast Kansas League
· Kiowa County – Southern Plains-Iroquois Activities Assn
· Shawnee Mission North – Sunflower League
· St. Paul – Three Rivers League
· Fredonia – Tri-Valley League
· Washington County – Twin Valley League
· Turner – United Kansas Conference
· Liberal – Western Athletic Conference
· Weskan – Western Kansas Liberty League
· Centre – Wheat State League
“The lessons learned through activity participation are numerous,” Executive Director Bill Faflick said. “Of top priority among them is promoting sportsmanship, which supports students in developing the ability to self-regulate and to respond appropriately when experiencing the thrill of victory or the agony of defeat. School leaders have worked tirelessly for students and stakeholders to learn and grow in this area.”