Letter: Notre Dame basketball team showed class in Columbia

We are writing to congratulate the Notre Dame Cape Girardeau Bulldogs on their third-place finish at the Missouri Boys Class 4 Basketball Championships in Columbia, Missouri, this past week. It was our good fortune to serve as the local team hosts during the Bulldogs' stay in Columbia.

We have been involved in the team-host program for many years, and never have we seen a more enjoyable group of young men or better representatives for their school and community. It has been our experience that the players reflect their coach and the day-to-day stewardship provided by their school. This was evident with the Bulldogs. Clearly, Coach Unterreiner provides an outstanding example in the context of a school environment that supports student-athletes holistically. This, of course, is the intent of extracurricular high-school activities, including sports; however, that goal is not always achieved. A high-school basketball team is a collection of individuals who either merge into an entity greater than the sum of its parts or remain individuals. The Bulldogs are obviously the former and their support of one another doesn't waiver whether win or lose. And, these boys can play basketball. I don't think finesse is the best word to describe their style. Perhaps, in equal parts, high-energy enthusiasm and Bull-Dogged determination would be a more accurate descriptor. Whatever is the case, they are fun to watch and a pleasure to share the bench with.

Congratulations to the entire Notre Dame-Cape community.

Jack Cronhardt and Steve Morris,

team hosts, Columbia, Missouri