Two Murfreesboro girls’ basketball teams have been kicked out of the TSSAA postseason this week after both were accused of unsportsmanlike play during a District 7-AAA consolation game. Both Smyrna and Riverdale High School teams were found to be not trying to win the game, but rather trying to lose it.

The action comes after a report was filed by the head referee in charge at the game that was played Feb. 21. The report states that, "Both teams played to lose the game."

The winner of the game would go on to face an elimination game against powerhouse and defending state and national champion Blackman High School. The losing team wouldn’t meet Blackman unless both teams advanced through the region finals.

The referee states that Riverdale began the game in a 2-3 zone, which is odd for a team that usually plays man to man full court pressure. The referee then said, "After a few minutes I think that the Smyrna coach realized what was going on and subbed his second team in. Riverdale followed suit and did the same."

The odd play didn’t stop there. The report said that the first half continued with nonstarters, but that both sides played the game. In the second half, both teams’ starters were still on the bench with Smyrna in the lead. Riverdale then pulled the ball out, and just passed the ball around, not attempting to score.

According to the referee, "The Smyrna coach realized what was going on and told his team to foul to put Riverdale in a bonus situation." Riverdale then intentionally missed 12-16 free throws.

Officials said that Smyrna then would purposely fail to get the ball across the half court line, in order to get a 10-second count, or the team would purposely get an over and back violation.

The referee said that at one point a Riverdale player looked at one of the officials, and gave a three-second signal, wanting the official to call the penalty.

The coaches were called in during the third period after a Smyrna player attempted a shot into the opponent’s basket. The officials told the coaches, "We are not going to make a travesty or a mockery of the game. We are not going to start trying to shoot and score for the other team."

The report said that no more attempts were made to the wrong basket, but that both teams continued to play in the same way. Eventually, referees state that Smyrna realized they were going to win the game, and put their starters back in the game. Riverdale left their second team in throughout the game.

TSSAA officials said that, "both teams obviously didn’t want to win and it really showed."

On Monday, the TSSAA held a meeting with the administration of both schools, where both admitted that the game was not in the spirit of fair play and apologized for the actions of their teams.

TSSAA points out the NFHS Basketball Rule Book, which states, "An unsporting foul is a noncontact technical foul which consists of unfair, unethical, dishonorable conduct or any behavior not in accordance with the spirit of play"

As a result of an investigation, the Riverdale and Smyrna girls’ basketball programs have been removed from the post-season and placed on restrictive probation for the remainder of the 2014-15 school year. Both have also been placed on probation throughout the 2015-16 season, and fined a total of $1,500.

The TSSAA said that their mission is to provide athletic programs which enhance the education of student-athletes. Their ultimate goal is to teach student-athletes ethics, integrity, sportsmanship, morals, and values, which will help them become successful citizens in society. Officials said that this situation defeated the purpose of educational-based athletics.