Yes it is...and that is where most people miss the point. The team that won 100-0 did not better themselves...unless one is to believe feeling superior = better.
Bettering themselves would have been using the game to practice their weaknesses once they realized the game was already won.
Maybe their weaknesses were their 3-pointer shots, which is why they kept making those shots at the end of the game.
As a kid, I played a hockey game and we scored 5 goals in the first 5 minutes. Our coach told us we had to make 10 passes in a row before we were allowed to shoot on net. We won the game 10 or 15 to 1, got practice on our passing skills and showed compassion for the other kids. That was bettering ourselves.
Well bettering yourself is of course subjective to each individual, based on what they feel they need to improve on and how. I don't have any problem with your above situation where you coach told you to pass 10 times before you shoot, although it did help you with your passing skills....... it really didn't do anything else.
You won the game 10 or 15-1..... you guys still embarassed the living hell out of the other team and it sounds more like the Coach was making you guys do something to make you seem like you wern't punishing the other team and feel good about yourselves, but at the same time still gave you guys enough room to beat their asses enough to leave an example...... the passing 10 times before shooting was just an illusion to make you feel you guys were giving them a chance.
Sure, maybe it could have ended up as a 35-0 score, but 10-1 or 15-1 in a hockey game is just as bad if you ask me.
If you really wanted to give them a chance, I would have suggested your team switch all your hands that you play with, right to left, left to right, swap sticks with one another, etc...... that'd give you a real challenge, lol.
And who knows? Maybe their coach told them to give them a chance and only make 3-point shots since they're harder then other shots..... unfortunatly perhaps they were too good.
I still don't see why the coach was fired for just doing what they were supposed to do. If people don't like how badly another team can be beaten, then throw in mercy rules or something.....
Don't hate the playa, hate the game