These were the guys who were in the stands because they had just finished their tournament games for that day. In fairness, one of the guys who worked the final was not at all like that, and has a very good attitude about the whole thing. The other one....

Wow, guess I touched a nerve
 

I agree with much that has been said. An official should give every game his or her best effort, boys or girls. What was so ironic with this game is that we had all of the stereotypical things we've discussed: jewelry issues, held balls, and a blowout.

Chin Ref, as for switching gears, you just gotta go out expecting every game to be difficult. If it turns out to be easy, then you can adjust. Then again, every game requires some adjusting. But going from an easy game to a hard game seems to take the most.

In this case, the adjustment was particularly acute because the winning team's coach (who is the league assigner of officials) asked us to "swallow the whistle" for the second half, which we did. We only called two fouls on that team, both frustration fouls that had to be called. So, in addition to adjust to a different level of play, we also had to adjust our mindsets back to calling the fouls and violations instead of letting them go.

I stand by my original assertion: with girls ball, you gotta keep on your toes. You're more likely to have unusual situations arise in girls ball, like the held ball right off the jump.

Qualified, not lack of interest.
 

Could not agree more, that is why I do not do them. ;)

The reason that is, because many officials do not like them. That is why many officials I know refuse to do them. That is also why Boy's assignors will not give you a boy's schedule if you are doing an abuntant of girl's games. If it bothers you that folks complain about them, then do not listen. Because just like anything in life, folks have the right to a choice.

Personally I think the bigger problem around here is the fact that they will let anyone do these games. I see the absolute worst, out of shape, older officials doing girl's games. Guys that could not handle a Freshman boy's game are officiating Sectionals in Girl's basketball. One of the reasons a future State Champion is allowed to advance to Bloomington on a call from the Lead position waiving off a basket to send the game into overtime. It is not the lack of interest that is the problem in Girl's Basketball.

Peace

Hey Rut.....
 

What happened to Michigan this week against Oregon?

Re: Hey Rut.....
 

Can you say "Quack Attack"? That was one heck of a game.

Re: Hey Rut.....
 

I do not care what happen with Oregon, I only care about what happen with Notre Dame. Oregon will not win their conference. We could go 2-11, as long as that one win is against Ohio State and Notre Dame. And we are also higher ranked than Oregon. So who cares. ;)

Peace

Re: Qualified, not lack of interest.
 

Personally I think the bigger problem around here is the fact that they will let anyone do these games. I see the absolute worst, out of shape, older officials doing girl's games. Guys that could not handle a Freshman boy's game are officiating Sectionals in Girl's basketball. [/QUOTE]

The reason for this, in most cases (not all), is that the assignors are only concerned with putting bodies into games to fill slots (I mean bodies wearing black and white stripes). From the Superintendent to the Principal to the A.D. to the Janitor, no one REALLY cares about girls' sports. Although there have been many girls' programs offered for the past twenty years or so, they are still viewed as "activities" to give the girls something to do (by law). Therefore, referees officiating girls will not really be taken seriously, even the ones that ARE excellent.

This viewpoint is denied, as people want to appear politically correct, but a change of attitude can't be forced or legislated. This overall attitude and image that go with the girls games is a big part of why refs refuse them. Some feel they must ref the boys side to get good games and work up to their fullest potential. On the other hand, there are refs who choose to do girls only, perhaps because there is less pressure and stress involved. I do think there is an underlying, although subtle, negative attitude towards girls (only) refs. The text above is my OPINION only, and I am specifically referring to the Northeast. Other parts of the country may be very different.

I agree.
 

I completely agree with that take on this issue. But I think that if women as a whole support their own sports on the scale of Men's and Boy's sports, the girls might have a bigger interest. I do not think we should apologize for not watching or wanting to participate. One of the reasons that the WUSA folded this past week and the WNBA barely got a blur on the TV. It is clear what basketball officials feel about it here, no one talked about it most of the season. We talked about the NBA Western Conference Finals Game 6 for almost a year after that game took place. Many of the guys that officiate never played when they were in HS, let alone college. Where are all the women that played translate into officiating? Or better yet, coaching? And we are just starting to see the coaches numbers go up. If I am not mistaken, not a single women has coached an WNBA Championship team.

Peace

Re: Re: Qualified, not lack of interest.
 

I'd guess that it's not so much the part of the country, as the school administration. We have a great girls bball team here in our area, which gets LOTS of community support, and budget and the best refs (which they need and deserve) because they are strongly supported by their school district, and have been for years. Next high school district over, they're lucky if the five starters have five matching uniforms.

...rarely do the Freshman boys "go above the rim" either...does that make their games "tougher" than two quality Varsity Boys teams going at each other?

I say yes! They can be.

My point is this:
It's "tougher" to make a girls game look good...
It's "tougher" to see all the ratty play...
It's "tougher" to have to explain all the situations that lower skilled players seem to get into...
It's "tougher" to have to officiate with a sometimes out of shape, lower level official (i.e. Boys Frosh games)...
It's "tougher" to "get up for these games"...

I have done State Semi-final Basketball...and I have done Freshman boys basketball...Trust me! IMO the Freshman boys basketball was "tougher", for the above reasons. (Well, OK, maybe the State games are tougher physically and mentally but maybe you get my point on the different "toughness" of each game.)Hmmmm, did I just contradict myself? :)

In conclusion, I agree with JRut...if you don't like doing Girls Basketball...Don't do them! That dosen't necessarily make you a bad person...I know, because I don't do them either! ;)

RD

Girls aren't the only ones with earrings anymoew
 

This summer I was involved with an adult league of former college/pro players. We had to remind them each night to lose the diamond earrings and gold chains. Women are used to this. Guys aren't.

Re: Girls aren't the only ones with earrings anymoew
 

Damian,
Why do you not allow that for Adults? ...League rule?
We permit it in our area.
mick

Geez, this old debate again?

Yes, there are some differences between girls HS ball and boys HS ball. I don't think officiating one is any harder than the other... they both have components that are easier/harder than the other.

I officiate both. Some guys only officiate boys basketball. Some of them don't have time to do both...others prefer the speed of the boy's game - in my opinion, those are valid reasons.

Other guys think they are "above" girls basketball. To me, that's silly but no big deal. If that's the way they feel, the girls game is better off without them.

My most enjoyable games last year had the following components: Packed gym. Close game. Good partner. Didn't matter if it was boys or girls.

Z

These things are what we all hope for. Unfortunately, in many areas -- including my own, you're much more likely to get all three of these in a boys game.

Unfortunately, in many areas -- including my own, you're much more likely to get all three of these in a men's game.
;)