SIOUX FALLS - A lull in the action made it so Red Cloud guard Christian McGhee and Chamberlain forward Joe Hieb could forget that a state championship was on the line and created an atmosphere where the two could have a chat.

No "smack-talking" or "jabs" were taken at each other, but rather the two were extremely respectful of each other.

"You guys have the best team in the state, and coach told us you were going to hit your shots," Hieb said. "Go win this whole thing, I will be rooting for you."

McGhee, using the class that head coach Matt Rama instilled with him, wished the same of his opponent,

"Good luck to you to, we were a little nervous, but you guys gave us a good run," recalls McGhee in his retort to Hieb.

Two strangers, coming together all for the sake of basketball - one a junior from West River, the other a senior from East River - both took the opportunity to showcase excellent sportsmanship.

"Everyone here at state has something that no one can take away from them," said Hieb. "Playing at the state championship is great and I wish everyone well that plays at state."

"Joe is a wonderful person, and we are privileged to have him on this team. He is a great asset to this team and the community," sixth-year head coach Allan Bertram said.

While each athlete led his team in scoring in the regular season and wanted to win their opening first-round game, both players were willing to swallow their adolescent pride and act like youths on the playground wishing the other good luck in their travels.

The two young men who may not have much in common besides basketball can give the world a few lessons in respect, honor and being a person with strong morals.

While this act of boys acting like men will never show up in any scorecard, the lessons they have picked up through basketball will stay with them the rest of their lives.