Last Thursday night I sat in an emotion-filled gym at my alma mater to watch the Lady Cowboys and the Lady Trojans battle it out in an intense game.

Oh, and what a game it was. I thoroughly enjoyed watching a game where the referees let the players play, and both teams played aggressively. I have noticed in previous games I've attended that when teams play aggressively one team generally is more aggressive than the other. However, this game both teams played aggressive the whole game.

Both teams came out playing hard in the first quarter. Morgan dominated the first quarter, holding the Lady Cowboys at zero until almost half-way through the quarter. Even though the Lady Cowboys were down they continued to play hard and push themselves to the limit.

When the buzzer rang at half-time the Lady Cowboys were trailing by 21. However, when they came back on the court they did not give up. They pushed themselves to the extreme and came back within nine of the Trojans. I thought as they came out, this is a game these girls want to win.

Unfortunately, it was not to be. The Lady Trojans continued to push hard and play aggressive. It was with a racing heart I watched as members of the Lady Cowboys squad continued to push and give all they had to come within 11 points at the end of the game.

One of the players who I watched with great interest was sophomore guard Marissa Robbins. Robbins played strong the whole game. She never gave up. Even as she was tiring in the last quarter she continued to push herself to her limits. It was awesome to watch a young woman with such a drive for victory continue going on, even when there was little chance of coming back for a win.

Grantsville and Morgan have a history of competitive rivalry. I remember attending games when I was in high school and the opposing team being escorted out of town by police in front and back.

This was not the case Thursday night. The good sportsmanship between the two teams was amazing. Yes, Grantsville was disappointed, but instead of huffing off the court (which I have witnessed happen), the Lady Cowboys went and congratulated the Lady Trojans.

Grantsville fans and players did not leave the court immediately after the game. The stayed and talked with each other; the fans giving encouragement to their team. And, what I thought of as amazing happened: Morgan parents, students and other fans left the Grantsville fans alone.

I don't know if the rivalry is not as strong as when I was in high school, but I commend both teams for being able to get along and visit on the same court without any incidents.

I look forward to the Grantsville-Morgan game at Grantsville. I hope to see the same sportsmanship and hard work again at that game, and to take a line from David Gumucio: I'll see you from the sidelines Feb. 7.

Abby Palmer: apalmer@tooeletranscript.com