[HD28]

FYI - The KHSAA is looking for officials all the time, if you guys think you can do it, take the test, get a whistle, go to camp and join the action. I've had coaches tell me in a game, we teach them in practice to hand check to push off. Really?

Don't want it called on their team but you hear them scream get their hands off them. I told one coach that told me they teach that in practice, I told the coach, the other coach teaches them to do that in practice too, I guess they are teaching it better than you are.

Last Friday night in our game we called, 53 fouls, the game lasted 2 hours, and I can tell you we didn't want to call that many fouls, but if that's how they are going to play, I guess they better have a deep bench is all I can say!

We don't have to get a whistle and join the KHSAA because we don't CHOOSE to. Whe n we pay $5 to enter a game we expect a modicum of professionalism, since the officials are getting paid. Saw East Carter and Elliott play earlier in the year...70 free throws. Went to Lewis County Saturday for their showcase; Lewis County 42 FTs, South Point 11. Rowan County 33 FT's Simon Kenton 7. The officials have become the show, and that is evident because there are threads on every message board and its the topic of conversation in the stands before every game. The one adjustment coaches will have to make is that their scouting reports are going to have to include Joe Blow official and how he calls the game, and make his scratches accordingly. Whoever the genius was that determined that this was the best way to "clean up the game" has no clue what he is talking about. Games have become FT shooting contests and it has allowed teams with inferior talent to stay in games. And anyone who thinks the state tournament will be officiated this way is sorely mistaken; it's the "greatest show in hoops" and nobody will pay to see this. Besides, they're on a schedule at Rupp/Diddle and they don't like to get too far behind. The really sad part is that I've talked to 4-5 officials in the 16th that say this style of officiating won't last. It's a point of emphasis, and after the first of the year will return to a more normal type of officiating the games. Which I think is absolutely ludicrous. It's either important enough to be a POE or it's not.

I believe that officials should also have to pass a fitness test before becoming licensed. The 16th has some 300lb guys trying to get up and down the floor.