[Raymond]

Originally Posted by tomegun

Do most of the people who dislike his mechanics think they play a part in his play calling? I don't necessarily like his antics either, but I think he is more mechanically sound than some well-known West coast officials - their antics happen during live ball and impacts their ability to get into the proper position.

Originally Posted by dahoopref

I've seen Hightower trigger the 3-pt shot multiple times as the lead (not on a fastbreak) when the ball is on the wing. He will call a shot-clock violation as the L and make sure everyone know that he called the violation, not the opposite table official who also had a whistle on the play. I get a chuckle when he crouches as low as he can as the L under the basket when the play is above the rim. Then if the ball goes out of bounds baseline to stay with the offense, he will give an emphatic point and turn his entire back to the court and players not seeing if any after-whistle-contact occurs. The highlight of watching Hightower officiate is his famous bird dogging of players followed by the stare as if to say to the fouling player, "that's right, the foul is on YOU and everyone needs to know I called it."

I don't know if you have access to the NCAA Arbiter website, but there are multiple videos on the site of plays called incorrectly by Hightower. Either someone is trying to be funny or is sending a serious message to Hightower.

How ironic. Look at item #4 from Mr. Adams on a bulletin dated today:

• 4. The Lead official must work to get to the strong or ball side of the court and stay as wide as is practical. Starting with page 39 of the CCA Manual, and continuing through page 61, look where the Lead is supposed to be situated. By the way, once the Lead "settles in", crouching over like a home plate baseball umpire is a very poor mechanic. Good angles to see plays are best acquired by standing erect and moving your feet to "position adjust".