stripes

In basketball, skill generally beats strength. I'd rather see 100 freethrows than 20reps in the weightroom.

Teams that have performed the best overall throughout the district season should be in the playoffs. If districts want to generate a little more revenue or ensure they are represented by the hottest teams at the time, then make the 3rd spot in the playoffs a tournament with the top two teams getting byes or warmups within the tournament.

Poppabear - fan participation is an important part of basketball. Done in a way that does not hurt anyone it shows support for the players, coaches and even the officials (the half that is cheering what the other half is booing). ;D Experienced officials are rarely affected by fan comments unless they are interfering with the flow of the contest. Officials don't eject fans, the game management from the host school does, and we have some excellent game management in our area...and the fans in this area are some of the best too!

As OLDREF said "This can be a good learning tool for everyone-if you allow it" Many issues with officiating appear every year on this site. The local chapter works hard to provide trained, dedicated and experienced officials for the schools that it supports. Can they work harder? Yes. Do they need help? Yes. Should officials know the rules? Yes, but the coaches and members of this forum should brush up occasionally as well (reaching in is not a foul!). Is there home cooking? Perhaps, but I find it amazing that many can't see when their team really isn't playing well. Officiating is an avocation. Yes, officials get paid, but you don't get rich doing this. It's great excercise, but you have to be dedicated to appear before excited fans, coaches and players several times a week. Former players make great officials once they get their head around game management, yet very few take the opportunity to earn some college money and support the sport they enjoyed for years. If you want to see officiating improve, get involved.