Basketball Refereeing

I received some more pictures from a buddy this weekend and figured I would share them.  This is from the first semifinal game that took place Saturday evening.  The team in the white and blue ended up winning. 

I referee; I have gained so much respect for referees in the past 6 months.  It’s not easy these are men with college bodies, basketball fundamentals of a high school JV team, the pace is fast and it took a while to get used to it and get in a groove since I refereed little kids when I was in high school.  Its great experience and I enjoy it and it’s something that I want to try and do when I go back to the states.  My friend that was a basketball ref in the states says this is tougher than high school in the states to ref.

Dealing with a coach

Some of the things here that are different is the lack of knowledge of rules and the simple fact that refs have no respect, coaches and players are riding you all the time and every call seems like a battle, especially now since it is playoff time.  The fans are nothing like the fans in the states, they don’t really cheer or clap or complain its relatively quiet during the games unlike in America.

I just tell myself that I am helping these men develop their skills and that this is a great opportunity.  If you would have asked me before I left is I would be a basketball referee for a national basketball league in West Africa I would laugh at you, but now I love it and thoroughly enjoy it.