I had a girls varsity game last night and luckily it ended in a blow out.

I could never seem to get into a rhythm and felt like I was a half beat slow all night. I feel good about the calls (neither coaches or the fans seemed to be on me or my partner), but kept doing stupid things.

- Twice I reported fouls where I gave the correct number verbally but held up the wrong number.

- Ball went out on green...blew my whistle, yelled green and (you guessed it) pointed in white's direction.

- Two or three times there was a steal while I was trail and I was slow to react and start down the court...luckily they all resulted in uncontested layups.

I even think I gave the wrong signal reporting a foul to the table. Seemed like the more I tried to focus, the worse it got. Luckily there were no evaluators watching us.

After the game I commented to my partner that I felt I had an bad night and he suprised me by saying he thought I did a pretty good job. He must have had some really bad partners this season.

Sounds like all my games!

Or you're just being hard on yourself. Relax!

I had a good one last night. Girls, we didn't get started until about 7:50PM because the JV officials had both teams in the double bonus most of the fourth quarter. Yes, I said it that way cause that's how I meant it.

Anyhoo, we're in the fourth quarter of a game that is about a 25 point spread (26 total fouls from us :) ). Simple out of bounds on my partner's endline and he (correctly) gives the ball to the losing/visiting team.

Coach starts in on him and finishes with, "I'm sending a tape." Partner, without blinking, says "I hope it comes with an apology."

To be honest, he didn't seem to like us much. While we only called 26 fouls, at least 12 of those were off-ball fouls and 8 were against the winning team -- blocking cutters, holding cutters, illegal screens, etc. I know they're used to getting away with that normally.

shoulda asked if you could get a copy.

maybe he outta put that tape to good use and have his team watch it and learn what they're doing wrong.

I feel your pain. I felt the same way last night in a game I worked with Tim Taylor from this board. It was a complete blowout and I couldn't get into the game at all. The pace was slow and I found myself getting bored and having a hard time focusing. I just wanted it to be over. It happens. Luckily I have another game tonight and can start all over again.

It was the winning team's coach who made the remark. That's what made it even more "precious."

Same thing last week Rich. Partner had a block/charge that coach disagreed with. After a few choice words, he said he was going to get my address and send me the tape. That was last Tuesday and still have not received it.

Btw Rich, congrats on your tournament games you received.

mj

Yeah, final score was 61-13...and it wasn't that close! But we hung in there & got it done - that's what counts.

It must be a phase of the moon or something - last friday I had the girls JV for what should have been a good matchup. Two very good 4A girls programs, one school currently ranked #5 in the state. The score was 2-0 at the end of Q1, 11-7 at the half. Final was 24-17....it was hard to stay awake.....

Thanks. It's a lot more "public" now, isn't it. Do I know you? Maybe I need a less "public" username :)

I am a fellow Wisconsinite. We traded e-mails a long time ago about a situation you had with a coach.

It is a lot more "public". I am sure that will lead to more of the "who got what?"

BJV game last night. My partner was a no show. Did the first 13 minutes of the first half (in Massachusetts we play 16 mintute halves) by myself, which I hate doing. With 3 minutes left in the half one of the varsity game officials came in to help me out but I was already in a bad mood and let it distract me. I developed rabbit ears and missed a couple of calls. Just a bad game overall.

Yes. But I have to admit, I'm thrilled. This is my first year eligible -- I'm in my 18th season doing basketball (started as a college freshman in the 80s), but only the third in WI. Took three seasons to jump through the levels.

I see the WIAA is voting on going 3-whistle for all tournament games starting in 2008. That would be a great step forward.

--Rich

Yes. But I have to admit, I'm thrilled. This is my first year eligible -- I'm in my 18th season doing basketball (started as a college freshman in the 80s), but only the third in WI. Took three seasons to jump through the levels.

I see the WIAA is voting on going 3-whistle for all tournament games starting in 2008. That would be a great step forward.

--Rich [/B][/QUOTE]

I am thrilled too...first sectional.

That's the first I have heard about 3-whistle.

mj

Who was it? Who do you have tonight?

Last night it was Girl's Varsity (Catlin Gable at Gaston). Big yawnfest. Driving all the freakin' way to Gaston didn't help. Tonight I'm at Hillsboro for a girl's JV against Liberty. Will probably be another blowout, but Hillsboro should at least have some skill. I had a nice string of 4 games that were one or two points difference at the end till last night. I think I was getting spoiled. :)

I am thrilled too...first sectional.

That's the first I have heard about 3-whistle.

mj
[/B][/QUOTE]

It was in the Preps column in the Wisconsin State Journal yesterday. The WIAA Board of Control is voting on it on 1/28. Congrats on the sectional!