DERRY — Being a good sport is what it's all about.
For the town's two middle schools, good sportsmanship goes a lot further than taking to a court and shooting a basketball.
It means playing with respect and friendship even as teams play hard to win a game.
On Jan. 20, Gilbert H. Hood Middle School hosted a basketball tournament with cross town middle school rival West Running Brook Middle School.
The games pitted both boy and girl hoopsters against each other in a series of afternoon games.
Both teams are part of the Tri-County League and play each other on a regular basis throughout the school year.
This time, it was more of a sportsmanship party, with pizza being served and mascots dancing on the sidelines.
For everyone involved, it was more than just winning a game.
Rich Salcito serves as athletic director for both Hood and West Running Brook.
He said bringing the two Derry schools together is important to the students as they not only serve as rivals, but will eventually become classmates again once they enter high school at Pinkerton Academy.
In years past, Salcito said, the rivalry between the Derry schools was huge. He said it's now time to downplay that rift on the field and court, and bring students together.
"We wanted it to be a nice, happy atmosphere," he said. "(Sometimes) one team is better than the other, but today we'll have great games."
For Hood, being good sports has earned the school honors for how they behave on and off the field, or court.
The school earned the Tri-County League's Sportsmanship Award last year, given to one school and honoring students and how they play the game.
After accepting the award, students said it was important to show respect on and off the field.
"We are respectful to each other and to other teams," Grace DiPersio said. "And we're looked up to by other schools."
Most students at Hood play sports — at least two, according to Salcito. Those sports also help students get involved in the life of the school.
West Running Brook Middle School also fosters good sportsmanship among its students.
Principal Leslie Saucier said the game last week helped keep those good sports moments going, while helping the students as they grow older.
"They are friends with each other a few months a year," Saucier said. "Then they will be together at Pinkerton. It's a win for Derry."
• • •
Join the discussion. To comment on stories and see what others are saying, log on to derrynews.com.
