Officiating in Postseason

[wcfields]

I noticed something I had not in prior years last night during the Lenoir City vs Oak Ridge boys game at Oak Ridge.

 

From early in the game, the three man team seemed at first to favor LC, then later OR. I'm fairly neutral with respect to officiating because it is a very difficult job. I've done it and it's far more challenging when you wear the stripes than it is sitting in the stands focusing on the ball. However, these guys without a doubt were the worst crew I have seen working a game in high school anywhere. I drove nearly 500 miles roundtrip to watch one ref have a direct outcome on the final score.

 

After the game, I asked about the refs and they were from 'upper east TN' I was told. I won't narrow it down further. My guess is that both sides felt the refs called a horrible game. At tournament time, let the kids play. You only make calls on fouls which affect the shot, 'traveling' to gain advantage, etc. No wonder there is such a huge difference in the quality of teams in upper ET vs mid and west state teams. Did anyone else actually see this game?

 

Is there really THAT big of a difference in style of play between the regions of the state?

 

Again, the team I came to see won the game. No complaints on that. But it would have been nice to see the kids playing full-tilt, not walking on eggshells out of fear the refs would stick 'em.

[agitator53]

I noticed something I had not in prior years last night during the Lenoir City vs Oak Ridge boys game at Oak Ridge.

 

From early in the game, the three man team seemed at first to favor LC, then later OR. I'm fairly neutral with respect to officiating because it is a very difficult job. I've done it and it's far more challenging when you wear the stripes than it is sitting in the stands focusing on the ball. However, these guys without a doubt were the worst crew I have seen working a game in high school anywhere. I drove nearly 500 miles roundtrip to watch one ref have a direct outcome on the final score.

 

After the game, I asked about the refs and they were from 'upper east TN' I was told. I won't narrow it down further. My guess is that both sides felt the refs called a horrible game. At tournament time, let the kids play. You only make calls on fouls which affect the shot, 'traveling' to gain advantage, etc. No wonder there is such a huge difference in the quality of teams in upper ET vs mid and west state teams. Did anyone else actually see this game?

 

Is there really THAT big of a difference in style of play between the regions of the state?

 

Again, the team I came to see won the game. No complaints on that. But it would have been nice to see the kids playing full-tilt, not walking on eggshells out of fear the refs would stick 'em.

 

 

I take it you've never been to a game in Johnson County High School gymnasium. You will find it's not so much the way the individual teams play ball, but more how the officials "allow" them to play ball.

[post10]

I agree this was the worst I have ever seen. It is amazing the inconsistency that they called the game with. They let players get away with hammering each other at times, and touch fouls appeared to be anticipated at times. Tyler Hood was absolutely not allowed to play in the game, which was sad to see if you are a fan of fundamental basketball. He was hammered, tackled and bear hugged the entire game, and when the officials decided to call it, they called a double foul. Another great play was when an Oak Ridge player had a fast break lay up, and got mugged as he shot his layup. He was awarded a 1 and 1 free throw opportunity. I give kudos to both coaches for not going "Bobby Knight" on the crew. I have to give credit to Oak Ridge for making some big shots, but I would like to see that matchup again when the best player in the region is allowed to participate.

[hockeystik]

I've seen many games this season and i have never seen any as bad as these. Oak Ridge fans were very upset with the crew too. I don't know exactly where they were from but the came in a SUV with Hawkins County tags. I also notice that when they left the parking lot a police officer followes them in a cruiser. Don't know why this would happen. Nobody was saying anything to them as they loaded their bags.

[aofficial]

I do not do basketball so therefore I do not know if it is the same. In baseball, softball and football, when playoff time comes we have to travel to another area. The reason given is they do not want any officials that have worked a game involing either team to work postseason games.

[DyronNix]

I was at the Oak Ridge game, and I felt sorry for LC more so then Oak Ridge. Yes LC got some calls early, but in the second half the foul count was 10 to 3 in favor of OR, and OR played a trapping man to man while LC played a 3-2 and 2-3 defense. I went to see what I thought was going to be the most competitive region game, instead I saw an officiating crew that completely ruined it for the fans and players. I hope someone submits a tape to the TSSAA, because that crew has no business reffing a tournament game. Good Luck to OR, hope you can beat Maryville this week.

[dick vitale]

Another sobbing story about the officiating........... /dry.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="

[aofficial]

Man officating must be just horrble this year. Every post I read, someone says that the crew they had was the worst ever saw. If everybody that has said that on here this year has been to all of there home games. Kinda makes me feel good as a official, because at a playoff football game season before last a fan said I was the worst ever. Now it appears as if several have moved ahead of me! LOL

[Reffin]

Not so fast AOFFICIAL!! I was the worst ever on Saturday night!! ??? To answer the question that was posed at the top. It is a long season. Many things happen within district play that you don??™t want to play a part in region, sectional and state tourney play. So we travel. A LONG WAY.

 

I don??™t know which association was in the OR game but they would have been from out of region. I can??™t believe someone actually took the time to look at the tags of the SUV they came in! That??™s a little scary.

 

As for the cop escorting them out. That is school policy. Several schools provide security to one degree or another at games. Some provide none! It??™s nice to know someone is there to help out if someone goes nuts!

[Mr knowitall]

Not so fast AOFFICIAL!! I was the worst ever on Saturday night!! ??? To answer the question that was posed at the top. It is a long season. Many things happen within district play that you don??™t want to play a part in region, sectional and state tourney play. So we travel. A LONG WAY.

 

I don??™t know which association was in the OR game but they would have been from out of region. I can??™t believe someone actually took the time to look at the tags of the SUV they came in! That??™s a little scary.

 

As for the cop escorting them out. That is school policy. Several schools provide security to one degree or another at games. Some provide none! It??™s nice to know someone is there to help out if someone goes nuts!

 

They use "out of area" refs for one reason, and one reason only. This voids the regular season "payoff" that the District Champ made to the refs!!!! ( that is why they won, right?). It also gives the refs a 2nd chance for a payoff from the "new" teams in the region. I can't believe everybody doesn't know this!!! From every thread I have read posted by the losing fans, it seems pretty clear to me. /rolleyes.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":rolleyes:" border="0" alt="rolleyes.gif" />

[Reffin]

They use "out of area" refs for one reason, and one reason only. This voids the regular season "payoff" that the District Champ made to the refs!!!! ( that is why they won, right?). It also gives the refs a 2nd chance for a payoff from the "new" teams in the region. I can't believe everybody doesn't know this!!! From every thread I have read posted by the losing fans, it seems pretty clear to me. /rolleyes.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":rolleyes:" border="0" alt="rolleyes.gif" />

 

 

Man I hope you??™re kidding!! If people out there are getting pay off??™s I want to renegotiate my contract!! What a joke. We are lucky to get paid our mileage!! They pitch a fit about that!! I??™m sorry the TSSAA requires me to drive 100 miles to referee a game. I would much rather drive 5 miles from my house than drive 100 miles to get yelled at!! I can get yelled at close to home just as easy as I can on the other side of the state!!

 

I have never even met an official that has accepted or been offered a pay off. And we talk about EVERYTHING on those two hours drives!! WOW??¦.

[Mr knowitall]

Man I hope you??™re kidding!! If people out there are getting pay off??™s I want to renegotiate my contract!! What a joke. We are lucky to get paid our mileage!! They pitch a fit about that!! I??™m sorry the TSSAA requires me to drive 100 miles to referee a game. I would much rather drive 5 miles from my house than drive 100 miles to get yelled at!! I can get yelled at close to home just as easy as I can on the other side of the state!!

 

I have never even met an official that has accepted or been offered a pay off. And we talk about EVERYTHING on those two hours drives!! WOW??¦.

 

Yeah, I thought it was pretty clear it was a joke. I was told a long time ago that " the refs are right 100% of the time to 50% of the people", depending which side they sat on. No more correct statement has ever been made about refs!!! /flower.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":flower:" border="0" alt="flower.gif" />