Someone on this board said that the first varsity year would be the most fun year ever, and I must admit it has been. Tonight Varsity Girls, stands were crowded, not packed, but fans were noisy and enthusiastic. Girls played hard in a close fought game. We called the fouls more or less even until the fourth quarter when the visitors really got rough. But the fouls were all clear and easy calls. We didn't lose our cool, the game was won in the last few seconds, and the whole thing was a blast from start to finish. Life is definitely good.

Congrats and hope we hear about your post season state tournament officiating soon.

Hard work pays off. Congratulations!

Juulie, I have to agree with you completely. Had a game the other night like this and the feeling began before the actual tip-off. Large crowd, big rivalry, young lady singing the national anthem (put Whitney to shame), sending goosebumps down your spine. I know some officials say, "it's just a girl's game", but it is still a great feeling. BTW, I have only had 2 BV games all year, but I didn't care -- paid the same for girl's game.

Glad to hear it went well, Juulie. I was hoping for ya! :)

Way to go Juulie...told you all that hard work was gonna pay off in a big way!!!

When I read all these responses, I was surprised, since I didn't expect personal kudos, just agreement that this is, indeed, a great hobby. But then I realized that part of the fun for me IS doing a great job, and knowing it. It just feels good to nail a couple tough calls, to know the rules in an unusual situation, and to work well with a partner. Virtue is absolutely it's own reward. At least, in basketball reffing!

Let me guess, Juulie. You had OC vs. LO and you worked with ABC. :p

Did I win?

[Edited by oc on Feb 13th, 2004 at 07:13 PM]

And you missed it!

Actually OC lost their first game in Oregon for about 135 years, week or two ago, beaten by LO. They play again next week. Can lightning strike twice?

Haven't had the year you've had as the first year is definitely the best but I have had a good week!

Tuesday night - replacing a friend for a game in the school system I just went to work in. #10 4A boys team in the state vs. the home team on Senior night. Game is back and forth all night. Visitors, down 5 with two minutes to go, get two steals and tie it with 1:18 to play. Home missing an 8 footer at the buzzer and lose by 1.

Friday night - Senior night, again, for home team. Game is back and forth all night. Home team coach is very irritating. In the 3rd, he complained to me about one of my partners who he said was staring him down. I replied, "Well, do you think that maybe he's tired of your officiating. I know I am." Didn't hear much from him after that. In any case, his team hits a 3 at the end of regulation to send it to OT. The visitors hit a 3 at the end of the OT to send it to a second OT. Home team misses a 3 that would have won it at the end of 2nd OT, losing by 2.

Yep, a good week.

Congrats Rainmaker,
I'm a year or two behind you and working hard to catch up!
It's competitive as heck in Lou, KY to make the Varsity Roster. This is my first year in the KBOA High School association, second year of high school and third year of grade school Catholic league.
Will be working the 8TH GRADE BOYS #2 AA DIVISION City Championship tonight! It'll be standing room only and ROCKING!
I'm stoked!
Ballen

You HAVE been working hard to get this kind of game in your first year! Enjoy every minute of it, and be sure to let us know how it goes... er,... went!

The reasons to work hard at this are so obvious. This is rewarding.

LONG POST WARNING...I'M A TAD EXCITED
It went great! What a blast. Last night's game was played in a high school gym with about 800 people watching and screaming.

Blue beat Green by one point on a last second three at the horn. The blue coach burning his last TO with 8 seconds on the clock set up the play.

I was careful to talk with the table and set up help in the event the horn didn't work as time expired. Do you do this? The clock person is responsible for watching time expire and the book person watches the shooter. Trail is responsible for the play. In any event the horn worked and we didn't need the help.

The game was a defensive battle. Green played tough inside, staying vertical and blocking shots. The crowd wanted fouls but my partner and I called few. Green was well coached and played with their hands and arms straight up. Blue was taking away the space when there was any body contact...NC. Crowd screamed but eventually settled down to watch a great defensive effort by both teams.

Blue just kept attacking and playing tough defense too. Blue took away Green's perimeter game and challenged the taller green inside. They fouled more than Green but didn't get frustrated. They were well coached too.

Blue started fouling with 1:30ish on the clock. Green missed the front end of three 1-1's. I didn't call the first foul intentional as blue made a play on the ball. I didn't call the rest intentional either. Should I have?
Blue used the strategy to win the game.

It was my first championship in that type of environment. The sound of the crowd erupting as the shot went through is one I'll never forget.

I love this game!

The secret to a great game is clipped from your post above -- coaching. Especially at the 8th grade level, the coach's attitude makes such a huge difference in how well the kids play.

You really had a great set-up, and you milked it for all the pleasure you could get out of it. Great job.

I guess we need to buy a couple dozen little stuffed monkeys in striped shirts to put onto people's backs. We're recruiting them fast and furious now!

Why do this?

The officials on the floor are responsible for whether the last second shot counts. You have given the table a vote, and they will demand it be heard if your decision goes against theirs. Besides this, how is one guy watching the clock & another guy watching the shooter going to help to resolve anything?

So, to answer your question - no, I have never done this and no, I will never do this.