Girls' team puts religion first, forfeits championship game
SEATTLE -- A young basketball team was forced to forfeit its chance at the championships on Thursday in order to put faith first.
The Mercer Island girls made history just getting to the tournament, but once they got there, there was a roadblock they simply could not get around.
Northwest Yeshiva School was scheduled to face off against Endicott. But faith led Northwest Yeshiva to forfeited instead.
It wasn't the outcome they'd dreamed after reaching their goal.
"It's the first time that a Jewish girls team anywhere in the world has made it to a state championship, made history, accomplished our goals by being here," said Mike Colbrese, executive director of Washington Interscholastic Activities Association.
The Jewish school is strictly orthodox and Thursday was fasting day before Purim. The girls can't eat or drink until after sunset. And playing a game without hydration could put players at risk.
"Although we really do wish we could play further, we're really just happy we got the chance to play here," said student Julie Owen.
The school asked the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association to move the tournament game to a spot where they could play after sunset, but the request was denied.
"We're just going to keep our fast day today, and we'll be back next year," Owen said.
And the girls showed their good sportsmanship by putting on their uniform and congratulating their opponents.
"We do want to show respect to team, league and anyone who gets to play here," said Owen.
Northwest Yeshiva became the first school in Washington to forfeit out of a state tournament game. It's not known whether the WIAA board will consider imposing any sanctions against the team for forfeiting.
The Mercer Island girls made history just getting to the tournament, but once they got there, there was a roadblock they simply could not get around.
Northwest Yeshiva School was scheduled to face off against Endicott. But faith led Northwest Yeshiva to forfeited instead.
It wasn't the outcome they'd dreamed after reaching their goal.
"It's the first time that a Jewish girls team anywhere in the world has made it to a state championship, made history, accomplished our goals by being here," said Mike Colbrese, executive director of Washington Interscholastic Activities Association.
The Jewish school is strictly orthodox and Thursday was fasting day before Purim. The girls can't eat or drink until after sunset. And playing a game without hydration could put players at risk.
"Although we really do wish we could play further, we're really just happy we got the chance to play here," said student Julie Owen.
The school asked the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association to move the tournament game to a spot where they could play after sunset, but the request was denied.
"We're just going to keep our fast day today, and we'll be back next year," Owen said.
And the girls showed their good sportsmanship by putting on their uniform and congratulating their opponents.
"We do want to show respect to team, league and anyone who gets to play here," said Owen.
Northwest Yeshiva became the first school in Washington to forfeit out of a state tournament game. It's not known whether the WIAA board will consider imposing any sanctions against the team for forfeiting.