How does a player manage to take a 108 shots in a 40 minute game? Division III Grinnell point guard Jack Taylor accomplished this feat Tuesday night.
Taylor's squad defeated Faith Baptist Bible 179-104. That wasn't the story of the night, folks. What has turned into a new NCAA record and instant sensation are Taylor's stats. Taylor scored 138 points on 52 of 108 from the field. You read that correctly. ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY EIGHT POINTS! He also, managed to hit 27 of 71 three pointers
These mind blowing stats are real. This wasn't in a Playstation video game. This actually happened. As of result, this is now the NCAA record for most points scored by an individual player. Bevo Francis of Rio Grande previously held the NCAA scoring record with 113 points in 1954.
Taylor's point total wasn't the most eye popping stat. No, sir. The most interesting thing about his performance is the number in the assists column. That would be a big fat zero. Taylor took 108 shots while playing 35 minutes and did not record a single assist. Its nice to see that he got his teammates involved.
Grinnell is known for their gimmick offense under head coach David Arseneault. Arseneault runs a system that requires his team to shoot at least 94 shots a game with 47 of those shots being from three point land. What does the head coach call this gimmick offense? "The System", he said.
The coach's offense worked with Taylor chucking his arm off and gaining instant celebrity. The Grinnell guard seemed like the one guy at the park who becomes a black hole and shoots it every time he crosses half court. Sure, Arsenaeult and his star player will gain attention and are sure to be on Sportscenter giving interviews about the legendary performance…but at what cost?
What happened to teaching kids sportsmanship? Sports used to be about teaching kids life lessons. What did this teach everyone? Selfishly shoot your arm while disregarding your own teammates at the expense of some kids from a division III Bible school? Keeping your star player in during a 75 point blowout in order to pad stats, doesn't exactly exude 'class', coach. In fact, it's the opposite of class. Disgraceful describes it best.
Taylor's teammates shot a combined 28 shots. They were nothing more than spectators with front row seats as their coach and teammate pushed for individual glory. How did they feel watching this mess? How did they feel watching Taylor become a black hole with the basketball and end up with zero assists? Even Kobe Bryant thinks Jack Taylor is a 'ball hog.' What happened to teamwork? Don't ask Taylor. When he was asked about Tuesday night's performance, he said "I gotta thank the man upstairs," Yes, I'm sure he would be real proud.
This performance just puts another nail in the coffin in sportsmanship. Every year there seems to be another incident that further proves that sportsmanship is being disregarded for the sake of individualism and stats.
Taylor's and Arseneault's performance is the most disgusting display of sportsmanship since Texas high school girls basketball coach, Micah Grimes. Grimes made headlines in 2009 when his Covenant girl's team beat Dallas Academy 100-0 while still pressing in the fourth quarter. Grimes was fired for his disgraceful conduct.
Future players and coaches should look at this performance and be motivated. Do not be inspired because 24/7 sports coverage glorifies this selfishness. Players and coaches should look at this and be motivated to NOT be anything like Grinnell's coach and players. Like the old adage goes, "What goes around comes around." This coach apparently forgot the lesson of 'humility.'
Joshua Caudill is a writer for CraveOnline Sports. You can follow him on Twitter @JoshuaCaudill85 or subscribe at Facebook.com/CraveOnlineSports.
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