On May 26, in a move that undoubtedly brought smiles to the athletics department at Clarkston High School, the MHSAA ruled that all levels of both the boys and girls state basketball tournaments will feature three-person officiating crews.
Last year, the district round of play had only two-person crews.
‘It’s been much needed, because so many leagues have three officials all season long. The (referees) are used to doing a three-person game and they don’t adjust to the two-person game,? said CHS Athletic Director Dan Fife. ‘I think (the change) is good for basketball.?
This past season, Fife was very disappointed in the level of officiating in the district tournament, which was played with two referees.
The MHSAA seemed to echo Fife’s feelings on the change.
‘It was only a matter of time for (three-person crews in) district tournaments. However, while certain parts of the state could easily supply the needed tournament-qualified officials for three-person crews, others could not,? said Jack Roberts, executive director of the MHSAA, in a press release.
The changes will take be in place for the 2005-06 school year starting with the girls district tournament in the fall.