A First-Class Education

Today we present Artesia High School of Lakewood, Calif., and O.J. Mayo of no known address as Exhibits A and B in the continuing case of Couch Slouch v. Sports Culture Run Amok.

(Note: I realize that many readers are tired of me complaining about the specious nature of collegiate "student-athletes" and out-of-whack values in regard to high school sports. Well, guess what? I'm tired of complaining about it, too.)

Last month, Artesia's boys' basketball team embarked on a five-games-in-six-days odyssey -- during final exams week -- that included a coast-to-coast red-eye flight. Here was Artesia's journey, according to USA Today:

The Pioneers started with a game in Lakewood on Day 1 and a game 70 miles south in Carlsbad, Calif., on Day 2 before an off day. On Day 4, Artesia had a game in Lakewood, then bused to Los Angeles International Airport for a 10:40 p.m. PT flight to North Carolina.

On Day 5, Artesia arrived at Raleigh-Durham Airport at 6:30 a.m. ET and went to Cameron Indoor Stadium for practice until 10:30. Players and coaches checked into their hotel rooms by 2 p.m., napped until 4:30, left for the gym at 6:30 and played a game at 8:30.

On Day 6, Artesia boarded an 8:40 a.m. ET flight to L.A., and after arrival, bused to its home gym at 1:30 p.m. PT and played a game at 6:30.

"I don't think it's excessive, not if we can compete at that level," Artesia Coach Loren Grover told USA Today. "It's a good opportunity for these guys. Some of them have never flown in an airplane in their lives."

Let me tell you why it's excessive, Coach:

1. NBA teams don't even play five games in six days.

2. Air-travel experience is not weighed heavily by most top university admissions departments.

3. Uh, IT'S HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL, for goodness' sake.

Then again, who am I to deny Artesia the chance to play Huntington (W. Va.) in an interstate showdown of USA Today Super 25 schools?