Worst Seat In The House: A different perspective

I was able to spend four days at the State ‘B’ basketball tournament in Spokane last week and I had a great time. The weather has raised havoc with school and extracurricular activities around here. There are a bunch of people that figured they would be out golfing by now. I’m sure you can as long as you use a colored golf ball. Putting may be a problem so maybe just stay off the course unless you head south, way south.

I saw a lot of old friends that I seem to visit with each year at the tournament. I also get to meet people while watching games. I’ve overheard a conversation or two from folks sitting behind me and when there is a question that they come up with and I’m able to answer I will turn around and tell them what the answer is. I enjoy this tournament and if I can help them better understand it should help them better enjoy the games.

This happened on Thursday when two gentlemen older than me were talking. One of them said that he didn’t follow high school sports much but I surmised that they were both Gonzaga fans and were there to watch Bulldog recruit Brock Ravet from Kittitas.

We visited and had a real good time conversing throughout the game. Interestingly, once the game was over they were done with the tournament. So they bought one ticket each and watched one game and that was it for them.

One of the gentlemen said that he had refereed for a couple of years. He said he gave it up because he had a problem making up his mind. He said, “I knew the rules of the game, I just didn’t make that quick decision, which is kind of important!”

His buddy said that a referee once told him that to be a good one you must have good eyesight and poor hearing. I think that is good information. I know too many that had poor eyesight and excellent hearing. Now that is not a good combination by any means.

Also on Thursday, Coach Arlt and I went over to the girls’ side of the arena to watch Liberty and Davenport square off. When we sat down a couple seats away were Jim and Linda Whitman. They were there to also watch their son Jeff referee the game. He was by far the youngest of the three officials but he was the best of the three in my opinion and I have seen a lot of referees. He has a bright future. I did have to let his parents know that he did a great job.

Right behind me watching the game was an old friend and teammate Gary Anderson, no relation. It has been fifty years since we were teammates and it is always fun visiting with Gary. He now gets to go to the WCC tournament to see the Gonzaga teams play. Lucky…

When that game was over I went back over to the boys’ side and sat down. The guy behind me called out my name and asked if I was enjoying the tournament. Turns out this guy we affectionately call ‘Tug’ traveled over from the Westport area to watch the tournament. Tug is a friend that hits most all of the EWU football games and it has been fun getting to know him at Eagle football games.

Over the next two days we watched a lot of basketball together and joked and laughed. We were sitting with a bunch of people from the west side. Fans from Valley, Naselle, Ocosta (Westport), Toutle Lake and Toledo congregated in the first five rows on the boys’ side in the horseshoe.

I had a chance to meet a lot of great people and the one thing they had in common with eastside fans is we all love the ‘B’ tournament. We may not agree with which team we want to win but I noticed that they were very loyal to the teams that were from their league and district. I can appreciate that sentiment.

These fans are the reason this tournament is so great. They travel 350-400 miles and spend four days watching small-school America play basketball. They may not have a dog in the fight but they will cheer for the next best thing when they don’t.

It was great getting to witness a different perspective from the other side of the state but it isn’t any different than mine. Supporting your league and district is important.