I'm not sure on whether there are plans for this to happen at state champs, but I'm certainly in favour of it.

I think 3 man officiating is often more comprehensive than 2 man for the simple fact it's much easier to get a good angle between 3 refs than with 2.

Great initiative by the Norwood organisers, especially as there were plenty of Vic refs over for the weekend, it opens up a few more spots for referees on GF day.

Maybe one day you will get 3 refs for most basketball games when people stop abusing them and they get better pay.

Only 3 refs....every game of basketball i've ever seen has hundreds of refs

(Mod: One of the more insightful comments ever posted on Hoops SA...)

Did anyone other than me notice how much better the Vic refs were? They were always so confident in there calls and seemed to be more consistent. They let the game be more physical, but are consistent with it, so you know where you stand.

I am a little concerned with talk about 3 refs for games. As much as the idea of having more eyes on the court to officiate appeals to me, can we do it logistically. There have been a number of late night basketball games in which only one umpire has shown up. Not to mention, the prices for games have been incresing exponentially over the past few years. I think the increase might even be of a greater percentage than petrol. Since this is the case, can players (and parents of players) afford to pay the entry fees if 3 umpires were to be paid each game or would the umpires be happy to take a pay cut since technically they wouldn't be doing as much work?

Thats because they sent over high level umpires, the higher level umpires from SA don't work games over easter.

some think they are too good for it, so the organisers are left with mostly junior umpires.

Stockton,

I wouldn't suggest that it's a good idea to be run on a regular basis, however, I do feel for div 1 junior finals as well as even ABL finals it's quite a good idea. Not only are the games generally officiated better, but it also allows for rewarding more refs with finals spots, as well as giving them something different & fresh.

Wild Child,

Yes it's true that the Vics did (and generally do) send over some high level officials, I also think that quite a few senior SA refs were putting in over the weekend. This is possibly due to it being run by Andrew Filmer, but regardless of why they're out there, it's good to see.

Does anyone know if the Vics will be sending over any refs for State Champs, being that it's not on a long weekend (not that it ever was for them...).

Yes - hence me saying the reason so many of the top refs were out was in large part due to Andrew Filmer co-ordinating it.

The fact was, they were there & it helps a tournament run smoothly if the refereeing is of high quality.

Ok fair point. saying they think they are too good for it was a unfair comment.

and yes there were some senior aba umpires doing games which is great.

overall quite a good standard considering there were so many games to cover.

let's hope the state champs umpiring is as good.

Is this the same John Lawrence that lost to Daniel Laruso at the end of The Karate Kid?