OJ's back!

[Mountaineer]

Tonight was OJ's triumphial return to the hardwood. It was a rematch against Capital HS. I went to the game and sat press row (I work for a media outlet - membership has its privledges).

I was bothered that Huntington administration did not stop the student section from chanting "Where is Lazo?" Many of them were adorning referee shirts . . .

I noticed that OJ was actually dunking in pregame. Not sure what your definition of a dunk is, but mine is above the rim, making a downward push toward the basket. Trust me, even though he didn't touch the rim - he was dunking.

Lots of dunks - LOTS of them. Huntington was very much the superior team. Even with more than 20 turnovers they won easily. Many of their turnovers came from missed allyoops.

OJ was on his best behavior. I left with about 3 minutes left in the game and HHS up by 20 - I think they won by 15. I noticed that Chris Early only played about 3 or 4 minutes in the 2nd quarter. He's already signed at Oklahoma. I guess he must be somewhat of a troubled kid because I don't think McGuffin plays him much.

[MJT]

Looking at the definition of a dunk, I don't think it qualifies if he does not touch the rim at all with his hand(s) or arm(s)? It will be interesting to get some others opinion on that.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by MJT

Looking at the definition of a dunk, I don't think it qualifies if he does not touch the rim at all with his hand(s) or arm(s)? It will be interesting to get some others opinion on that.

Dropping the ball in from above is OK. Forcing or pushing the ball down is a dunk. Any doubt, don't bother calling it.

[JRutledge]

Usually I would tell the kid to knock if off so I do not have to make such a hard decision.

Peace

[Mountaineer]

Originally Posted by MJT

Looking at the definition of a dunk, I don't think it qualifies if he does not touch the rim at all with his hand(s) or arm(s)? It will be interesting to get some others opinion on that.

Trust me, with the force he was using - it was a dunk. And he did get the rim on one . . .

[IREFU2]

Originally Posted by Mountaineer

Trust me, with the force he was using - it was a dunk. And he did get the rim on one . . .

Sounds like a T to me!!!!

[BigTex]

Were the officials on the court when he was dunking?

This brings up another question.....do you blow your whistle when you walk onto the court? I personally do not, and have had many discussions with partners about it. I do not like to bring extra attention to myself. Why should you have to announce your presence. I once had a coach not happy with a pregame T (his player was actually hanging on the rim after a dunk with about 10 min left on clock). His argument was that the player did not know we were on the court. I explained that it was not any less illegal wether he knew we were out here or not.

What do you guys do?

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by BigTex

Were the officials on the court when he was dunking?

This brings up another question.....do you blow your whistle when you walk onto the court? I personally do not, and have had many discussions with partners about it. I do not like to bring extra attention to myself. Why should you have to announce your presence. I once had a coach not happy with a pregame T (his player was actually hanging on the rim after a dunk with about 10 min left on clock). His argument was that the player did not know we were on the court. I explained that it was not any less illegal wether he knew we were out here or not.

What do you guys do?

I'm usually preceded by dancing girls and helium balloons.

I've never seen nor heard of officials who blow their whistle when entering the court area. That would be dorky.