[Strikeout King]

Two high school officials were arrested recently on drug charges in Letcher County.

Oscar Combs says on Twitter this evening that the first two arrests may only be the tip of the iceberg and more arrests could be coming.

Combs said rumors are swirling that a number of high school basketball referees may be tied into a drug/gambling scandal that could involve doctors in Eastern Kentucky.

Here are some posts from Combs:

wildcatnews Rumors are swirling number of high school basketball referees may be tied into drug/gambling scandal that could involve doctors in East Ky.

wildcatnews On heels of two arrests recently in Letcher County, there are reports this may only be tip of iceberg and that more arrests could be coming.

On a serious note, this has the potential to be a huge story. Stay tuned...





http://www.allkyhoops.com/2011/05/major-...erees.html

[Gold Charger]

Keep us updated on any new findings.

[Strikeout King]

Keep us updated on any new findings.

We'll do

[Bolt]

No wonder they missed so many calls.
They were high. lol.

[Strikeout King]

^ lol

[warmachine]

I didnt see all those missed calls from Tommy Hutton. He is the BEST referee in the mountains. Even if he is a little HIIIIIIIIIIIGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH.

[14th region official]

I didnt see all those missed calls from Tommy Hutton. He is the BEST referee in the mountains. Even if he is a little HIIIIIIIIIIIGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH.

Have to agree with that.




On another note, rumors are swirling that there will be 3 more arrests coming, on top of the other 2 already. The big problem with this is that all of them are not officials of basketball. I believe they all call BASEBALL/SOFTBALL so they will probably be short some umpires for the district and regional tourney's. Not a good thing going on here at all. And these next 3 probably won't be the last ones either, there are others involved that are also being looked at and will probably also be taken down as well.

[Navajo4life]

As a fellow umpire and official in a different region, I just hope and pray that this does not give ALL umpires and Officials a bad name or a target on their back....I would be happy if the KHSAA would require umpires/officials to take mandatory drug tests, but that will not happen due to MONEY...

[KC 1973]

Who is the other ALLEGED ref. or ump. involved or arrested? If this is true, I hope that the KHSAA does not stop until it catches everyone involved in these ALLEGED incidents. IMO been along time in coming!

[Scotty doesn't know]

Holy crap this is insane. I hope that things is all rumor and speculation but man this is messed up.

[Nothing But The Kids]

I didnt see all those missed calls from Tommy Hutton. He is the BEST referee in the mountains. Even if he is a little HIIIIIIIIIIIGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH.

Sad to see Hutton a part of this mess. He is one heck of a referee. :Sad04:

Horrible decision making.

[Bear_Paw]

:beer::ref1:

[OffTheHook]

I wouldn't say they missed the calls because they were high. Dealers usually just sale. The reason I say the missed the calls is because of the other scandal......BETTING! I have heard of this happening now for years. I hope they catch every last one of them that are involved with their little bookie schemes and lower the hammer on the. We are talking high school people! IMO....I don't care how nice a guy you are. When have the ability to control the outcome of a High School Game for your $$$$$ benefit. And screw young kids that are playing their hearts out. Well....that's just plane F**Ked up!

[LeeCoUKFan]

This is crazy!! What regions are these officials from?

[Shady Grady]

Maybe if enough referees are involved, then maybe the so called experts in the stands that have never missed a call will then volunteer their services. With so many referees missings so many calls, I just wonder what has taken so long for the "real" refs in the stands to get involved. Just because some officials may be guilty, don't be so quick to deem all officials guilty. If a doctor is guilty of wrong doing, does that make all doctors wrong? I love how some of you automatically think all officials are dirty. I would love to see each of you give up six and seven hours a day to get yelled at and get 55 bucks. If it is that easy, go see your local assigning secretary and show everyone how it's done.

[toussaints]

wow this is crazy, i wonder what they were gambling on? hopefully not high school sports, even though it wouldnt surprise me.

[1Baseball]

Very sad to see this happening. What kind of example is that for our kids?

[OffTheHook]

Maybe if enough referees are involved, then maybe the so called experts in the stands that have never missed a call will then volunteer their services. With so many referees missings so many calls, I just wonder what has taken so long for the "real" refs in the stands to get involved. Just because some officials may be guilty, don't be so quick to deem all officials guilty. If a doctor is guilty of wrong doing, does that make all doctors wrong? I love how some of you automatically think all officials are dirty. I would love to see each of you give up six and seven hours a day to get yelled at and get 55 bucks. If it is that easy, go see your local assigning secretary and show everyone how it's done.

I re-read ALL of the post in this forum and NOT one person was saying "ALL" were guilty. They were just giving an opinion as to why the ones who may be involved, missed some calls. No need to defend someone that dosen't need defending.:Thumbs:

[LClion4life]

^ :Thumbs:

[Shady Grady]

I re-read ALL of the post in this forum and NOT one person was saying "ALL" were guilty. They were just giving an opinion as to why the ones who may be involved, missed some calls. No need to defend someone that dosen't need defending.:Thumbs:

You're right, there no posts on this thread indicating that. I was referring to the fact that during the season, probably 90% of the threads on here blame the officials for a loss, or at least talk of poor officiating. And there will be some that will group all officials into the very, very small group of those guilty of crimes. I say this with the best of intentions with no animosity at all. However, I will offer this challenge to everyone who loves to blame the officials. Do what I did. I used to be one of those who sat in the stands and yelled and said those very words, "I can call better than that". Well, guess what? I put my money where my mouth was and became an official. Do I miss calls? Sure. Do I plain out tank some calls? Sure. Is it intentional? No way. I put in as much or more time than anyone trying to perfect my profession. However, we are human. Even those making hundreds thousands of dollars blow calls. I guess that's why I take offense to all the blame directed at officials. The yelling from the stands doesn't bother me in the least. Anyone who pays their five bucks has the right to get their money's worth. It's the calling out of individuals that I don't like. But trust me. It is not an easy job. Officiating a game is much tougher than the work I do as a living. Why do I do it? I love the game. I like the kids. Heck, I even like the coaches. They work us during a game, but they are just doing their job like we are. But all in all they are good people. With all that being said, I say in the humblest way I know how: If anyone out there thinks they have what it takes to become an official, please do so. In the meantime, just please don't judge everyone by the actions of a few.

[Strikeout King]

Something to keep an eye out on if you care about high school basketball in the state of Kentucky is a potential scandal Oscar Combs broke on Twitter Sunday. Combs tweeted that several referees could potentially be tied up in a drug/gambling ring with some doctors in Eastern Kentucky. Combs said 2 people have already been arrested, but does not mention whether those 2 are officials. What is especially interesting is he describes the arrests as potentially just “the tip of the iceberg”. Now some reporters are speculating potential game fixing in the Boys Sweet 16.


Now, why is this interesting to me, a resident of Louisville for nearly 20 years. Because the rumor always was in Louisville that referees in the Sweet 16 would do everything in their power to prevent a Louisville team from winning the state title. Which seemed like one of those crazy rumors that people from Louisville created out of arrogance thinking our teams were always the best. But, when you look at the state champions of the past decade, you do see an interesting trend:


2001: Lafayette defeated Louisville Male
2003: Mason County defeated Louisville Ballard
2006: Louisville J’Town defeated Apollo
2007: Scott County defeated Louisville Ballard
2009: Holmes defeated Louisville Central
2010: Shelby Valley defeated Louisville Ballard


Six times a Louisville team has made the final and 5 times they have been defeated. And all I will say is in those 5 times the Louisville team lost, they lost to a team in the eastern half of the state, and the 1 time they won (2006), they played a team from the western half of the state.



That’s all I am saying. Wink Wink Nudge Nudge.

[Strikeout King]

IF Officials are trying to keep Louisville Teams from Winning the State Championship that's just wrong and they need to be relieved of there duties. EVERY TEAM has the Right to play for a State Championship (IF they make it that far) and causing them to lose in the Championship game or keep them from competing in the Championship Game is just wrong and something needs to be done about it

[UKCAT5FAN]

Maybe if enough referees are involved, then maybe the so called experts in the stands that have never missed a call will then volunteer their services. With so many referees missings so many calls, I just wonder what has taken so long for the "real" refs in the stands to get involved. Just because some officials may be guilty, don't be so quick to deem all officials guilty. If a doctor is guilty of wrong doing, does that make all doctors wrong? I love how some of you automatically think all officials are dirty. I would love to see each of you give up six and seven hours a day to get yelled at and get 55 bucks. If it is that easy, go see your local assigning secretary and show everyone how it's done.

I couldn't have said it better myself! Fans sit in the stands and talk to officials worse than they talk to their neighbor's barking dog. It really amazes me how some people think they can say whatever they want to an official.

[The Private]

We do have some honest officals. If a ref is caught doing what these guys are accused of doing.They should never ref again. PEROID!! I FOR ONE WOULD not WANT THEM AROUND MY YOUNG KIDS! Refs should be held more accountable. Refs should have to pass drugs tests.

[jed]

There has been speculation about basketball and football officials betting on games they are calling for years. I guess it may be true. It seems to be worse in football than basketball as not as many calls needed.

[Big Don]

I'd be shocked if Mike Hall doesn't get fingered in this scandal. That fool couldn't ref a pee-wee game without cheatin!

[Shady Grady]

I'd be shocked if Mike Hall doesn't get fingered in this scandal. That fool couldn't ref a pee-wee game without cheatin!

I really think names should be left off this for now. Innocent until proven guilty.

[14th region official]

We do have some honest officals. If a ref is caught doing what these guys are accused of doing.They should never ref again. PEROID!! I FOR ONE WOULD not WANT THEM AROUND MY YOUNG KIDS! Refs should be held more accountable. Refs should have to pass drugs tests.

Totally agree with this, but, I also agree that anyone that is receiving a social security check, a first of the month check, anyone that has kids, anyone that works, they should also all have to go through a drug screening before they get any amount of money!

Also I agree to leave names off until arrested or charged like Hutton and Wright have been already!

[Strikeout King]

Totally agree with this, but, I also agree that anyone that is receiving a social security check, a first of the month check, anyone that has kids, anyone that works, they should also all have to go through a drug screening before they get any amount of money!

Also I agree to leave names off until arrested or charged like Hutton and Wright have been already!

I have to agree with the bold. That needs to happen. alot of people out there ripping off the government

[OffTheHook]

Something to keep an eye out on if you care about high school basketball in the state of Kentucky is a potential scandal Oscar Combs broke on Twitter Sunday. Combs tweeted that several referees could potentially be tied up in a drug/gambling ring with some doctors in Eastern Kentucky. Combs said 2 people have already been arrested, but does not mention whether those 2 are officials. What is especially interesting is he describes the arrests as potentially just “the tip of the iceberg”. Now some reporters are speculating potential game fixing in the Boys Sweet 16.


Now, why is this interesting to me, a resident of Louisville for nearly 20 years. Because the rumor always was in Louisville that referees in the Sweet 16 would do everything in their power to prevent a Louisville team from winning the state title. Which seemed like one of those crazy rumors that people from Louisville created out of arrogance thinking our teams were always the best. But, when you look at the state champions of the past decade, you do see an interesting trend:


2001: Lafayette defeated Louisville Male
2003: Mason County defeated Louisville Ballard
2006: Louisville J’Town defeated Apollo
2007: Scott County defeated Louisville Ballard
2009: Holmes defeated Louisville Central
2010: Shelby Valley defeated Louisville Ballard


Six times a Louisville team has made the final and 5 times they have been defeated. And all I will say is in those 5 times the Louisville team lost, they lost to a team in the eastern half of the state, and the 1 time they won (2006), they played a team from the western half of the state.



That’s all I am saying. Wink Wink Nudge Nudge.

I have heard for years that they have bet on Sweet 16 games, while reffing the games. BUT, those games that you have listed. Those were some pretty darn GOOD teams that won those games.