Inventing "The Cylie Rule"

When One Young Basketball Player Got Bone Cancer, Her Team Changed The Rules

(CBS)  People always ask CBS News correspondent Steve Hartman what makes a good story. A dog that goes to school is a good story. It's not this story, but it would be a good one.

Another good one is any story that renews your faith in human kindness. And that story did just board the bus.

It takes place in De Smet, S.D., and it began nearly two years ago with a bump on Cylie Pastian's right leg. That bump turned out to be bone cancer. There were weeks of chemotherapy, multiple surgeries, and worst of all …

"I guess not being at school very much," Cylie said.

"I'm sorry, I must have misunderstood," Hartman said. "I thought you said I missed going to school."

Cylie said, yeah, "I missed going to school."

Not so much the work, of course, as the friends … and especially the basketball.

This fifth grader loved basketball. Unfortunately, her leg got so fragile, doctors wouldn't allow her any physical contact. All she could do was keep the stats and yell.

According to one of her classmates: "Yeah, she would really cheer."

"Yeah, you could see her on the sidelines just smiling from ear from ear," a friend said.

As Cylie said: "I don't know, it just made me feel better - still felt like I was part of it."

A part of it - but for her friends and coaches, not part enough. They still wanted her to play.

But outside of changing the very rules of the game, there was just no way to guarantee Cylie's safety. Which is why they changed the very rules of the game.

Not long ago, the kids and coaches asked for, and got, the "Cylie Rule," which basically says that when there's a foul, anyone recovering from bone cancer is allowed to check into the game to shoot her team's free throws.

What do the other players think of the new rule? One said: "I think it's really nice."

There wasn't anybody that said, "I want to shoot my own free throws?"

"No," the kids said.

"I made eight in a row once!" Cylie said.

It's just a small gesture for one little girl in one tiny town. And yet it makes you rethink what kids' athletics is all about. At least it did here.

As Cylie's classmates said: "I think it brought us closer together. We're all like sisters. We're a big family."

So, who won the game? Cylie's team did … before it ever started.

[jdubs63]

How great is this..I am impressed with the Coach, the Kids and Parents.Keep the Spirit...

[barbaraf4]

Wonderful!! We need more stories like this!

[cbs_oliver]

Nice.

[ladygrece-2009]

Out of the mouth of babes. Sometimes we as adults need to listen to the children to learn what is most important in life. Thank you so much for doing this story.

[khanghi-2009]

Yeee-Haaaw!

Gawd! Do I ever loves stories like this! As a cancer survivor myself, I know that 95% of the cure happens from the neck up. Her joy in being back in the game was the best medicine she could have. Just look at these kids, will''ya!?

We just may be OK with them running the world afterall!

All Good Prayers and Blessings to All!

(and yes, it WOULD be great to see more stories like this!)

[michellem99-2009]

That kid rocks. Go girl. Get well. Yes play ball and have fun. Love the story. Peace of Christ to ye and yers. Love Cylie''s Rule.

[rrfenner]

That''s right Cylie - you just keep reminding people what basketball - and life - is really all about!! We love ya girl!! Rhonda and all :) (You know who we are!!)

[dakotascents]

I love this little girl! I live in SD close to her area and I have a candle company. I was so proud last year to do a candle for the CMN and the picture on the logo with the angel is drawn by Cylie! I still have these on my website and for every one that is purchased, a portion goes to the CMN! We can all learn from this little girl! She is like a miracle to all of us. Keep playing and making those baskets Cylie! I still have your candles going on the website at www.dakotascents.com . We love you!

[thisandthat1]

It''s a good rule!

[rowdytexan2]

Blessed be Cylie! What a great bunch of folks up there in S.D. This kind of love and respect is what we need more of!

You go girl!

[toolmangler-2009]

That is Beautiful, and the thing I love the most i that the other kids came up with the Idea, GO CYLIE!!!! May GOD give youa full and long life..

[noltej1]

This is a great story especially in the day of "MY KID" you know those partents and kids are about me, myself and I. Having grown up in DeSmet I am happy to see a story about the team worrying about Cylie, not Cylie worrying about getting her points. From my understanding even the parents and player from the other teams cheer for Cylie every time she makes a shot. I hope we can continue to see this kind of attitude spread to the high school games in SD too.
Keep Shooting.