A Show Of Support On The Hardwood

Before every high school basketball game at St. Rose in Belmar, players, coaches and spectators are reminded to show good sportsmanship -- to compete with integrity, to show respect for teammates and opponents.

On Wednesday, the Purple Roses girls basketball team took its show of respect to a different level. Before their game against the Seraphs from Mater Dei, the team and staff from the high school honored the team from the Middletown school.

The ceremony included a prayer offered up for the players and the school, which is scheduled to close at the end of June unless enough money can be raised to keep it open. After the prayer, the St. Rose players presented the Mater Dei players with bouquets of flowers.

See the prayer ceremony here: