Thread posted by "Benton Voice"...

On Wednesday night at the Benton Invitational Tournament I witnessed one of the nicest things I've ever seen at the tournament or in high school basketball for that matter. I wonder if the average fan even noticed.

Late in the fourth quarter with Cairo down by 20-plus points, the Pilots' Chris Williams was chasing a loose ball and went out of bounds on the south side of the floor. In his attempt to get the ball he ran into an elderly lady seated in a front row seat. He bumped her pretty hard and it was obvious that she was slightly hurt and obviously upset.

She put her head down and Williams bent over and started talking to her. The ref was standing there with the basketball but Williams kept talking to her to see if she was OK. This went on for several seconds and the ref patiently waited. Williams obviously was not going to resume play until he was convinced that the lady was all right. Finally play resumed and the game ended a few minutes later with Hamilton County defeating Cairo 84-64.

Here's where the story gets better.

After the players shook hands I happened to notice that instead of going to the locker room Williams walks directly back over to the elderly lady, still seated in the front row. He bends down and talks to her for a few minutes, once again, checking to see if she is all right.

It was, without question, one of the classiest moments in the history of the BIT.

The BIT gives a sportsmanship award every year in honor of longtime official Robert Blondi, Sr. and the media votes every game for two players.

I told Bobby Blondi last night after the incident involving Chris Williams of Cairo that the race this year is for second because in my mind Williams wins ... hands down.

I'm going to lobby, lobby and lobby some more between now and Saturday to see that he gets the sportsmanship award this year.