It's funny how 72 hours can change how your season ends....

[OrStBballRef]

So I finally had a chance to report back on the game.....

After I posted I read several other threads from officials in a similar circumstance so I actively read and took in what other refs had done in the past. I think the best advice I read was from someone who just recommended that you stop listed and take in the experience (sights, sounds, smells, atmosphere etc...)

Game was at a small town school that recently had their HS rebuilt (old one kept getting flooded) in a GREAT new facility. It still had a home depot smell to it indicating it was brand new. Place was about 2/3 full, but in the old school it would have been filled to the rafters.

What I was worried about in the game was the players getting too 'amped' up to start off the game which would lead to fouls early and often. They weren't, but what did take me by surprise was the environment. The fans were INTO it, much more so than a regular season game (as evidenced by much more howling when it came time for the infamous high dribble not being called a carry)...it just had a different feel to it. Every score, steal, rebound the crowd was alive. Especially when the home team went on an 8-0 run at the end of the half to pull within 3 at the break.

The 2nd half??? Well home team only scored 8 points and lost by 30, but still....

The most 'eventful' thing that happened on the court was at the start of the 4Q...I'm at the top of the circle and partner is behind me at the division line. I turn and start to head to one of the teams and I see this quick movement and followed by an ungodly sound of someone hitting the floor...hard. A cheerleader misread the sign from her coach and fell off her pyramid thinking someone would catch her...no one was there. Needless to say that was quite the momentary event while they tended to her....

When I look back on my career I probably will forget the game itself (it wasn't that memorable), but the atmosphere of a playoff game between two small towns across the state definitely will stick with me. And to whoever gave the advice to just soak it all in before the tip definitely gets some credit for that because that will live with me forever....

More importantly it makes me as an official want to continue to improve so those games become the norm in the future....

[jTheUmp]

I love the small town atmosphere for these types of games.

I grew up in a town of 1200 people. Our school system had about 55-60 kids per grade.
Friday night football games, we'd have 2500 spectators at the field... because it was Friday night and that's what you do on Friday night. And almost everyone had someone on the team that they were close to (Son, brother, cousin, nephew, friend of the family, etc)

Basketball games would usually have 800-900 people.



The level of play may be higher at the big schools, but for my money the best atmosphere is in the small town "event" setting.

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by jTheUmp

The level of play may be higher at the big schools, but for my money the best atmosphere is in the small town "event" setting.

I agree. I've had State Finals of both big and small school classifications.
I would take the small school game every time, if given a choice.

Most of the town shows up and supports the kids. Usually a great environment, plus often some history to these match-ups.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by jTheUmp

The level of play may be higher at the big schools, but for my money the best atmosphere is in the small town "event" setting.

Agree 100%. In some small towns in rural Connecticut, it's the only event in town that night, other than cow tipping.