Big men beware!
Southern Sports & Travel, By Darron Thomas
The evolution of the game of basketball has been a subject of much discussion throughout the decades. The game has changed distinctly this decade as the big man era has slowly shifted to power-guards who can transform from go to player to assist man in a matter of two possessions. In my high school days it was rare to see anyone over 6’4” but that was a private school association many years ago. Today it’s not uncommon to see kids 6’4” or 6’5” on most nights in AAA or AA MAIS basketball. What has always been rare is seeing a player 6’8” or bigger and that rarity tends to draw lots of interest from fans and college scouts.
An MAIS school with a legitimate big man certainly has the potential to make a serious run at a state title, and what coach wouldn’t be giddy over that prospect? What those coaches fortunate enough to have such a game changer face is what many may not expect.
While the game has changed, a most important part of it still lags woefully behind. I’ll preface the area that I refer to by saying, as I’ve said before, that in no way would I put myself out there on the basketball court to officiate a basketball game with screaming coaches and fans. These folks deserve a big “shout out” first and foremost. With that said, maybe the attention and ire should shift from those who take to the court each night to officiate and towards the MAIS who owe it to member schools and fans to provide the very best well trained officials possible.
A few weeks back I wrote about what I perceived as a poor officiating job during the Presbyterian at Columbia boys game. The opinion was centered on Columbia’s 6’10” center and the inconsistency with regards to how the officials called the game. It was nothing I hadn’t seen before in the MAIS after seeing David Hahn of Chamberlain-Hunt play a handful of games last season. The 7’ center and Texas State signee was often double and triple teamed with a physical type of play that usually would garner fouls in most instances. More often that not Hahn would ride the pine before the first quarter was over. I realized the same scenario was taking shape for Columbia’s center as he quickly drew all the attention from the officials. Perceived and anticipation fouls quickly put the big man on the bench and when he did re-enter the game he played timidly to avoid leaving the game again.
Most would hope that the MAIS takes very seriously the efforts and work those coaches and players put into reaching the ultimate goal of winning a state championship. A re-evaluation needs to take place with quality training at the top of the list so that games are decided by players’ abilities and confidence is restored to fans and supporters.
A sign stating “Big men not allowed” should not be hung in MAIS gymnasiums.
Southern Sports & Travel, By Darron Thomas
The evolution of the game of basketball has been a subject of much discussion throughout the decades. The game has changed distinctly this decade as the big man era has slowly shifted to power-guards who can transform from go to player to assist man in a matter of two possessions. In my high school days it was rare to see anyone over 6’4” but that was a private school association many years ago. Today it’s not uncommon to see kids 6’4” or 6’5” on most nights in AAA or AA MAIS basketball. What has always been rare is seeing a player 6’8” or bigger and that rarity tends to draw lots of interest from fans and college scouts.
An MAIS school with a legitimate big man certainly has the potential to make a serious run at a state title, and what coach wouldn’t be giddy over that prospect? What those coaches fortunate enough to have such a game changer face is what many may not expect.
While the game has changed, a most important part of it still lags woefully behind. I’ll preface the area that I refer to by saying, as I’ve said before, that in no way would I put myself out there on the basketball court to officiate a basketball game with screaming coaches and fans. These folks deserve a big “shout out” first and foremost. With that said, maybe the attention and ire should shift from those who take to the court each night to officiate and towards the MAIS who owe it to member schools and fans to provide the very best well trained officials possible.
A few weeks back I wrote about what I perceived as a poor officiating job during the Presbyterian at Columbia boys game. The opinion was centered on Columbia’s 6’10” center and the inconsistency with regards to how the officials called the game. It was nothing I hadn’t seen before in the MAIS after seeing David Hahn of Chamberlain-Hunt play a handful of games last season. The 7’ center and Texas State signee was often double and triple teamed with a physical type of play that usually would garner fouls in most instances. More often that not Hahn would ride the pine before the first quarter was over. I realized the same scenario was taking shape for Columbia’s center as he quickly drew all the attention from the officials. Perceived and anticipation fouls quickly put the big man on the bench and when he did re-enter the game he played timidly to avoid leaving the game again.
Most would hope that the MAIS takes very seriously the efforts and work those coaches and players put into reaching the ultimate goal of winning a state championship. A re-evaluation needs to take place with quality training at the top of the list so that games are decided by players’ abilities and confidence is restored to fans and supporters.
A sign stating “Big men not allowed” should not be hung in MAIS gymnasiums.