3/30/2006
None of our area teams made it to the Sweet Sixteen, although the Jackson City Tigers and the Breathitt LadyCats came awfully close. Despite the disappointment, what a breath of fresh air it was to experience officiating during the district and regional tournaments that allowed the players to determine the outcome of the ballgames. Sure there was an occasional poor call; that is to be expected. But, all in all, the referees basically went unnoticed—and that’s the way it should be.
What we typically experience throughout the season with 14th Region officiating are closely whistled affairs that nullifies the physicality of the basketball game. With that mentality, bigger, stronger teams are penalized. Big men or women, who play close to the basket usually find themselves in foul trouble, and hardly ever have the opportunity to play unimpeded and carefree.
Closely whistled games take forever to play and often times the referees become the centers of attention. By game’s end, coaches, players and fans are usually frustrated by a contest that was played virtually without any semblance of continuity.
I’ve heard local officials say that games played in the 14th Region need to be kept under strict control, and if teams were allowed to go all out, there might be trouble. Trouble is, most all other areas of the state allow teams to play very physically. They learn how to play that brand of basketball; how to shoot with someone slapping them on the wrist, how to get the ball across mid-court with an opponent bellied up to them, and how to get a rebound while being knocked around like a pinball.
Unless our area teams play a large number of games outside the region during the season, there’s no way they are prepared for statewide competition—especially the state tournament.
Games played at the Sweet Sixteen are most-definitely determined by the players on the court. The bigger, stronger, quicker teams are more apt to win, and by all means aren’t penalized for being such.
District and regional action this year at Woods Coliseum, Morton Combs Complex, and the Nixon Center, respectively, were played without incident. In fact, I believe most everyone thoroughly enjoyed the competition. With the finals of the girls’ being an exception, all games were enjoyable to watch. I believe that the many turnovers in the girls’ final can be attributed, in part, to both teams not being accustomed to playing a physical contest.
As I’ve stated before, it would’ve taken an all-star team from the 14th Region to compete in this year’s state tournament. I DON’T KNOW JACK SQUAT, but until our teams are allowed to develop the full potential defined by their size, strength and quickness, we will continue to be the state’s basketball doormat.
