Originally Posted by LocDog249 (Post 657504)

I just transfered into the area in October, so I had to spend the first half of the season doing JV ball and getting my evaluations in. This half he's got me between big school girls V and small school boys V. He has been out to see me the second half, so I'm hoping to get the big school boys next year.
The walls are that close in each of the 4 corners, for about a foot-foot and a half. The "bleachers" consist of rows of folding chairs, all on the same level as the playing court. Must be why so many people stood along the back wall, you could get a better view.
I wouldn't mind going to Vernonia, cause I sure could use some free hams......

Originally Posted by Smitty (Post 657508)

Wow - maybe I'm totally off and not thinking of the same gym you're describing. I apologize if I am confused.

Howard is the most fair man on the planet, in my opinion. Him seeing you is the best thing that can happen. If you are Varsity worthy, he will give you the games. I am anxious to hear from my old buddies there how things change when he retires. It's going to be interesting for sure.

Are you working westside, eastside, or both? You'll only get to Vernonia if you're on the westside. I could have rented an apartment in Gaston I went there so much. Hated Gaston. Anyway, best of luck. I'm sure no one else gives a crap about Portland basketball except the few people on this site who work there. Howard will take care of you - he is the best.

Originally Posted by grunewar (Post 657506)

Locdog - I was in a similar situation a few weeks back and did have someone become injured, although probably a minor ankle twist.

http://forum.officiating.com/basketb...gym-story.html

I also asked for opinions on the Forum.

BOTTOM LINE: Gym was there before your game and it will be there when you're gone. Hundreds of officials and players have been there before and will be there again.

Does that make it any better? No.

I reported it to my Association, have a clear conscience, and am done with it. Let the school, administrators, parents, etc. worry about it. If it's safe enough for them every day, who am I to say otherwise?

But, I still don't like it.

GIGDGO and if I never go back there, it'll be fine too.

Off soapbox.

Originally Posted by Smitty (Post 657499)

Well, one night in Vernonia, the raffle prize was a half a hog.

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee (Post 657513)

Front or back half?

Originally Posted by Smitty (Post 657514)

I can only imagine. I was wondering what one does with a half a hog, but apparently it was a big hit there. I did not buy a raffle ticket as we are told we can't - how great would it be if one of the refs won the raffle and the home team won on a controversial call?

Originally Posted by Smitty (Post 657499)

The Vernonia gym is one of my favorites. I loved going there because it was just a cool little town that hasn't seemed to progress from the 50's. Nothing to do there so everyone watches the games on Friday nights. But the gym is tiny and the endlines give you no room at all.

Side note - my favorite non-basketball moment happened in Vernonia. Lots of schools have a raffle where you win some cash prize or something at halftime for having the winning ticket. Well, one night in Vernonia, the raffle prize was a half a hog. I knew I wasn't in the big city anymore...

Originally Posted by Smitty (Post 657501)

Another side note - I believe I worked a game at Westside Christian with our own Camron Rust. It was fairly uneventful, but I do recall not being a big fan of the changing room.

Originally Posted by Smitty (Post 657499)

I don't recall the walls being that close - there are "bleachers" on the side opposite the "table", aren't there? Maybe I'm mixing up 2 different gyms.

Originally Posted by Smitty (Post 657499)

Anyway, there are more joys that will await you. The Vernonia gym is one of my favorites. I loved going there because it was just a cool little town that hasn't seemed to progress from the 50's. Nothing to do there so everyone watches the games on Friday nights. But the gym is tiny and the endlines give you no room at all.

Originally Posted by Smitty (Post 657499)

The raffle prize was a half a hog.

Originally Posted by Smitty (Post 657508)

Are you working westside, eastside, or both? You'll only get to Vernonia if you're on the westside. I could have rented an apartment in Gaston I went there so much. Hated Gaston.

Originally Posted by Camron Rust (Post 657579)

I think you're mixing up two gyms. We worked at Horizon Christian a couple years ago.

What you're describing sounds like Horizon Christian. Westside has a "floating floor" that is laid on top of the carpet/concrete or whatever is under it...not a standard floor. The seating opposite the table at Westside is chairs....the area is basically the sanctuary for the church. They either take up the floor or lay something over it for Sunday.



Not any more. Vernonia flooded a couple years ago (maybe it was last year)...3' of mud in the gym, floor looked like a roller coaster when it was cleared. They tore down most of the school and rebuilt it on higher ground after 2nd "100-year" flood in must 10 years. The did keep the gym after replacing the floors. In doing so, they reset the baskets to be further from the ends. You're no longer sitting on the edge of the stage when you're lead or against the wall with your toes inboucds on the other end. The court is just shorter now....not much running no matter the style of play.