In the immediate afterglow of one of the biggest prep losses of all time, the team at the short end of the scoreboard spent the entire day trying to escape national media attention while simultaneously attempting to move forward and put the 105-point loss in the rearview mirror.
Yet there was one cameo opportunity that was too good for the Arlington (Ind.) High girls basketball team to overlook: Comedian Mike Epps stopped by unannounced to spend time with the team and try to cheer the players up.
As reported by the Indianapolis Star, Epps showed up for Arlington's team practice a day after the school's 107-2 loss to Bloomington (Ind.) South High. The campus call was an ideal opportunity for Epps to do something worthwhile while in town for a charity event thrown by Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne.
"I made it to where I did because I was losing all the time," Epps told the team and the Star, which was in attendance during his appearance. "I got cut from basketball teams. I took all my trial and tribulations, and all my losses, and I made something of it."
For their part, the Arlington girls already appeared to be on the right track for redemption. The Star reported that the girls were in a good, goofy mood when Epps arrived, with the comedian's unexpected appearance leaving them even more thrilled about their lot in life.
"You all seem to be doing just fine," Epps told the girls on Thursday.
The hope now is that the Arlington squad can use the embarrassing loss to come out better than just fine. Arlington athletic director Bob Wonnell said he thought the loss would be an opportunity for the girls on the team to grow.
Whether or not that happens remains to be seen, but at the very least, Epps' appearance earned the girls a day of celebrity attention, a benefit which never would have come if it wasn't preceded by a 105-point loss.
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