Entire Home Section Ejected At High School Basketball Game

With 6:36 to go in the basketball game between the Mangum Tigers and Frederick Bombers, one of the referees reached his limit with improper comments from the home section at this high school matchup in Oklahoma. At first, the official motioned to a game administrator and pointed to the fan to be ejected. That spectator yelled out, "I'll leave, but you suck". The official then motions again for the administrator and orders the clearing of the entire home (Frederick) section.

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Referees Need Our Support

For the past 30+ years, I have been courtside at SFA basketball games, handling public address duties. I've observed and learned how to interpret and enforce the rules of the game from Division I NCAA referees. I've also spent many years announcing high school games in East Texas. In my experiences through the past 30 years, here's what I've learned:

• No referee is going to get every call correct. Given the fast-paced nature of the game and the subjective nature of some of the calls, I think getting 85-90% of the bang-bang calls right is a high mark.
• I've listened to the comments from fans sitting behind me, especially at high school games. Over 90% of the time, their arguments are without merit.
• I have to smile with a roll of the eyes every time I hear a fan say, "The ball don't lie." I never knew the basketball was outfitted with a moral compass. Too bad Geppetto didn't create Pinocchio's head out of a basketball; it would have completely cleared up that nose issue.

Can't We Be Good Human Beings?

Listen...I get it. Watching a competitive sport produces passionate responses, especially when you have kids, friends, or relatives playing. I shamefully admit that I crossed the line of disrespecting an official a few times when watching my kids play sports years ago.

You are going to disagree with some of the calls at every game you attend. Yelling rude comments at a referee does not produce one positive result. Let your coaching staff address the officiating. When it comes to being a fan, I believe a quote from the Disney movie 'Bambi' gives the best advice.