Disable current-cat for a specific category

I’m using this in the sidebar for displaying the three latest posts in the category sports:

<?php query_posts('category_name=sports&showposts=3'); ?>
<?php while (have_posts()) : the_post(); ?>
<li>
<a href="<?php the_permalink(); ?>"><?php the_title(); ?></a>
</li>
<?php endwhile; ?>

The problem is that the as long there are posts in this category, this category is hightlighted by current-cat in my category listing (wp_list_categories). And it also knocks out the current-cat for all other categories. Only the sports category is highlighted regardless of which category being displayed.

Is there a way to disable the current-cat class for a specific category?
Appreciate any help.

Thanks!