Alumni Night

A few days ago, I got an email from a fellow official asking if I would work my old high school's BOYS BASKETBALL alumni game.  It was a bit of a surprise as this particular official had worked the boys basketball alumni game with a retired official for the past several years.  Apparently, the retired official was unavailable tonight.  Since I was an alumni of the high school and had worked the girls basketball alumni game in previous years, I was the next logical candidate.   I accepted the invite very quickly.

Interestingly enough,  while I had not officiated the girls basketball alumni game last year, I was surprised the girls basketball coach had not reached out.  I need not have worried.  The coach reached out to me a day or two afterward to work the girls basketball alumni game and I ended up working a double header tonight.

The girls game was pretty low key.  The girls varsity team had only six players due to some player turnover while the alumni had about nine players.  The alumni won the game but the varsity girls worked hard and kept it competitive for much of the game.

On the other hand, the boys game was expected to be a blowout.  The boys varsity team had struggled last season and this season's team was very small of stature.  I didn't remember too many kids who were above 6 feet tall (if any).  On the other hand, the alumni had several big players.

However, the boys varsity team made a good effort and hung tough despite a distinct size advantage.  To be fair, the alumni did take it easy on the boys varsity team.  They didn't exploit the size advantage they had as they wanted to give the boys varsity team a chance to practice their sets.   The alumni did ultimately win but the boys varsity team showed they can play a little bit.

From a learning perspective, the girls alumni game was just a "get back on the court" and get a feel of officiating.  It's been a while since I worked a regulation high school game.

For the boys alumni game, I worked in a three person crew.  While I won't be working three person crews too often during the high school season, it was good to work with the other two guys.  It was pointed out that I was doing some things ("working a little too high as the C") that I hadn't realized.  Just like anything you do in life, you never know you're doing something until it gets pointed out.

Overall, it was a fun night to get back on the court, talk to a lot of folks and hang out a bit afterward.  A great way to begin the Thanksgiving holiday!