RICHMOND, Calif. (AP) -- A basketball team that was benched for poor grades earned a rousing ovation and a visit from the governor when it returned to the court.
The Richmond High School Oilers played their first game Tuesday night after their coach imposed a weeklong exile to improve their grades.Gov. Gray Davis was therewith local officials, a number of police officers, national and local media and about 300 enthusiastic fans. The Oilers responded with a 61-51 victory over St. Elizabeth's of Oakland.
All eyes were on the unbeaten team, as well as coach Ken Carter, who benched his squad last week when they didn't live up to their promised academic standards.
"I think he's a hero," Davis said of Carter. "Obviously, not every kid is going to the NBA. How they do in school will determine how they do in life."
The Oilers were banned from all basketball-related activities, including practices and rallies. They missed a non-league game and last Saturday's alumni game, a popular annual event between current and former players.
The message was received. On Monday, Carter and athletic director Roy Rogers determined that the players were headed in the right direction academically.
"We just wanted to get our kids back on track," Carter said. "We knew they could play basketball. We wanted to turn some of the bad habits they had learned into good habits. And I think we did that."