OT: Who is the best player you ever officiated?

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

When my wife and I lived in Glendale, California (1982-84) I did not have the chance to officiate and UCLA and USC women's games but I did officiate a USC scrimmage both years when Cheryl Miller was playing for USC then.

MTD, Sr.

[griblets]

Otis Smith during a summer semi-pro league in Orlando in the mid 90's.

I joined the local HS association in Daytona one year after Vince Carter left for UNC. LaDarius Halton (UF) followed him at a rival school and was as good a HS player as I've seen.

[Mark Padgett]

About 15 years ago, Portland had a WNBA team, the "Fire". They would hold practices at a gym on the west side that had about 10 basketball floors, only two of which were near full size. One day, a buddy and I were working a men's rec game there while the Fire was having a practice. Right after our game ended, the Fire coach came over to us and asked us if we could wait around and work a scrimmage they were going to have against a bunch of guy gym rats. They said the scrimmage was going to last 20 minutes with a short halftime and they would pay us each $40 in cash. We both said we would.

We tried to let a lot of contact go but made sure we called anything obvious and/or hard. Within a few minutes, it became apparent the gals were not anywhere able to play well against the guys due to the difference in size, speed and strength. I think the final score was something like 44-8. It just got to me that a "major league professional team" couldn't play well against a "pickup" team, even if there was a gender difference. It really put the WNBA into perspective for me.

The Fire coach came over and thanked us and paid us our money. We told her we'd be glad to do it any time.

BTW - for you Portland area guys, my partner that night was the late, great Jeff Strothers.

[SDRef]

Kirk Hinrick - his dad was coaching and got a T
Cole Aldrich before his HS senior year at a camp
But my all time highlight - accessing a Technical Foul to US Senator John Thune (while he was a Senator and a decent player in a tournament).

[Kansas Ref]

[QUOTE=Mark Padgett;956333].

We tried to let a lot of contact go but made sure we called anything obvious and/or hard. Within a few minutes, it became apparent the gals were not anywhere able to play well against the guys due to the difference in size, speed and strength. I think the final score was something like 44-8. It just got to me that a "major league professional team" couldn't play well against a "pickup" team, even if there was a gender difference. It really put the WNBA into perspective for me.

QUOTE]

*I am surprised that a pro team--albeit women--could not match up with a group of rec players who are not professionally trained nor conditioned!
Could this translate into perhaps thinking that even the UCONN women's team could not beat a bunch of rec ballers? amazing.

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by Kansas Ref

*I am surprised that a pro team--albeit women--could not match up with a group of rec players who are not professionally trained nor conditioned!
Could this translate into perhaps thinking that even the UCONN women's team could not beat a bunch of rec ballers? amazing.

That comparison (higher level women's team scrimmages with lower level men's team) has played out on several levels several times. The results have been consistent every time I've heard about it.

I'm pretty sure that group of rec players wasn't just a bunch of desk jockey's that were at the gym to get their weekly workout. I'd guess, knowing that location, that they probably had some former small college players and/or former better HS varsity players or other similarly skilled players.

The women probably would have been outmatched physically at every single position in just about every measurement: height, weight, reach, strength, speed, etc.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

That comparison (higher level women's team scrimmages with lower level men's team) has played out on several levels several times. The results have been consistent every time I've heard about it.

I'm pretty sure that group of rec players wasn't just a bunch of desk jockey's that were at the gym to get their weekly workout. I'd guess, knowing that location, that they probably had some former small college players and/or former better HS varsity players or other similarly skilled players.

The women probably would have been outmatched physically at every single position in just about every measurement: height, weight, reach, strength, speed, etc.

I would bet money that even the UCONN women's team would get beat pretty badly by an average high school varsity team.

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

I'd guess, knowing that location

Camron - it was the old Hoop in Beaverton, (which is now closed) and I think you're probably right about the makeup of the guy's team that night.

[TimTaylor]

Kevin Love in high school summer league.

Also did a couple Trailblazer alumni games....

[billyu2]

Earl Boykins (Cleveland Central Catholic) a scintillating player. So quick and unbelievable ball-handling skills. Kosta Koufos (Canton Glen Oak) Ran the floor so well for a big man. Would block lay up attempts but instead of slapping the ball out of bounds, would just tap it, get it before it landed, outlet pass then run the floor and eventually get a return pass for a dunk. Never had LeBron; but he was in a tournament game right before my game. We kidded the officials when they came in after their game that they had the JV's, we had the Varsity game.
Also had Clark Kellogg's two sons when they played at Columbus DeSales in a state tournament game. MTD, you might have been at a regional game I worked at BGSU involving DeSales back in 2009. Seems I remember an official and his son stopping by the locker room to chat with us after the game. Possible?

[Lcubed48]

Michael Gbinije of Syracuse formerly of Duke. He was on the varsity as a freshman, and they blew out some other small local parochial school by 60.