4 OTs...you've got to be kidding
 

The season is off to a roaring start...or at least slow and long start. My first varsity game of the year ended after 4 OTs. I've never before witnessed such a lengthy (and hideous) game.

I pose to all interested: what's the longest game you've officiated?

BJV game last year that went into 3OTs. Would of have a 4th one, but team that was down missed a gimmie and thus spared us a 4th OT. Needless to say, the varsity officials had a few choice words :D

Gamer - and I was one of em!
 

JV game before mine last night went 2 OT's! Our game started 45 minutes late! Long night!!

C'mon Padgett, you're just not getting the word out! :p

Had a small school JV girls game go 2 OTs. It was also the most hideous game I've ever done. The score was 18-18 with two minutes left in the 4th quarter. It was 18-18 two minutes into the 2nd overtime. A girl missed two free throws with no time on the clock at the end of the 1st overtime.

Hmmm, this could lead down an entirely different path. I have two that come to mind:

One was a 7G game where at the end of the first quarter the score was 0-0. No fouls. The only mark on the scoreboard was the "1" for the quarter. As I approached the table between quarters, the clock operator/AD looked at me with glassy eyes and said, "I've been doing this for 25 yrs, and that's six minutes of my life I'll never get back." :D

Another was a small private school, again 7G, where my partner and I blew the whistle so often for fouls and jump balls the first quarter I had a headache. Quarter must have lasted 30 minutes......I couldn't get out of that gym fast enough!

Back in "The Day"
 

Back when doing this to pay for college, when jump balls really were jump balls :eek:, the first game of a triple-header, a 6th grade girls' game, that I recall went 3OT's. Final score was in the teens. The next two games weren't much better, but at least they didn't last 2-1/4 hours like the first one. Jump balls really took a lot of time back then, remember?
Two nights ago: tie game; I call a foul on a missed layup with .2 seconds to go, sending a shooter to the line to win the game by 1. Whew, that was a close one! :o

I see you've been studying Padgett's book, "Better Living Through No Overtime". :D

We've been instructed here that if a varsity contest is scheduled after a sub-varsity contest, the varsity contest must start on time. We are to end the sub-varsity contest regardless at least 15 minutes before the schedules start of the varsity contest.

If there is still game time on the clock, the game is declared over with the team leading the winner. If the score is tied as that 15 minute mark nears, first team to score wins.

Haven't had to do that yet, and hope I don't have to. But at least no 3-hour JV games this year...

I don't like that at all. This is high school sports...let the kids play.

Why not go with a FT shootout ala soccer?

Agreed. Would not be a happy parent or player if my game was dismissed as meaningless.

What are they worried about? Certainly nothing to do with overtime pay.

This was suggested by the male students in the crowd. After the 1st OT, they suggested a game of lightning to determine the winner.

They also suggested that the first basket of the 2nd quarter determine the winner. After the horrific play of the 1st quarter, I thought they were on to something.

I've never before had to toss up 5 jump balls. Good practice, I guess.

3 OT last year....but both of my first two games this year went into OT.....I was starting to think I was doomed for the season! ;)

The JV game I worked last night went 3 OTs. We didn't get done with the varsity until 9:30....home at 10:30. It was a long night.

That's ridiculous. When the AD's call each other to schedule a game, they should just flip a coin and be done with it.

In Georgia...
 

We have a similar rule, but it only applies to games played on a night when they have school the next morning. Remember, this is "extra curricular" activity. They are students. I'd rather have my kid at home at a decent time to complete any unfinished homework. Also, we don't have sub-varsity state championships, so we can end the game without effecting their placement in the regional tournament.

With OTs happening so infrequently, I wouldn't be fan of this policy.

Interestedly, saw a freshmen game go into 4OTs earlier in the season. To make matters worse, 2 of the 3 varsity officials were doing this game (I think it's the only time I've seen the varsity officials do a freshmen game beforehand). After the third OT, both coaches agreed to shorten the fourth one to two minutes. Varsity game was delayed by 45 minutes which gave those waiting for the varsity game an oppturnity to watch some of the freshmen game. I guarantee it was the most fans they ever had attend any of their games.

Afterward, better believe the other varsity official and I gave those other two a hard time. :p

Hogwash. Again these are high school kids. I's nothing about the kids. No matter the level, frosh, soph, JV, varsity etc the kids are putting in tons of hard work in practice not to mention their time investment. Schools are investing thousands of dollars in transportation, coaches, workers, officials, etc and drive miles to play a game and we can't stay a few extra minutes to see it to completion? REALLY! We talking about the difference (as an example) of getting home at 9:45 instead of 9:30 REALLY! We're not talking a extra hour or more. The ones that care about their studies will see that end thru no matter what. That is part of the sacrifice to play athletics.

So what they don't play in a state championship? The kids don't want to see the fruits of their labor arbitrarily shorten because admins don't want to be there. And that is what a rule like that is truly about. Because if you think it's about the kids I have a bridge to sell you.

It must have been a great game - but in reference to shooting it out from FT line - this could be a great disadvantage to one team. Say, perhaps that team A, as a team shoots 85% from the line but team B shoots 36% from the line. This solution is not fair to team B, who has hung in game despite rotten FT shooting. Why not a 3pt competition, or half court. Same answer. Let them play it out. I mean, really, how often does this really happen? Let the teams and game decide a great contest like this.

I had a 4-OT boys' JV game last year. It's in this thread: http://forum.officiating.com/basketb...gest-game.html

I don't necessarily like it, but I understand it. Schools here are short on budgets, short on staff, and under a lot of pressure. There are rules about the latest games can start so that they can manage the ending times. This is part of the deal.

I'm guessing it won't happen more than a time or two in our district, as most of our schools don't play sub-V games before V games.

At best it adds an extra 20 minutes. OT's for Soph games up here are 3:30 minutes.

Let me ask you this, do they end the Varsity game should it go 3-4 OT's?
Remember, this is only an "extra curricular activity". And you do want your kid home to finish his homework.

As Eyezen said, it's certainly not abouthe kids. Sounds like school admins who are assigned clock and other duties who can't wait to get out of there.

Shame on your state!

He Would Be So Proud ...
 

Mark Padgett would give you a kiss, on the lips.

Wait Until The Department Of Labor Hears About This ...
 

You mean we don't get overtime for overtime?

Nothing Like Waiting In Line For Your Turn ...
 

That's the first reference to "lightning" that I've ever seen on this Forum. Oh, to be young again.

We always called it Knockout

That's what we called it also.

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet. (Billy Shakespeare)
 

It goes by both names here in the Constitution State.

At least you had only yourselves to blame.

Nice!
 

In Summer League I've worked a triple overtime (1 minute stop time-Each team gets an extra 30!).My longest game during the regular season was a double overtime varsity boys tournament game last year.