TOLEDO, Ohio — The hardwood will be a hot topic among sports lovers in and around northwest Ohio as girls high school basketball is now underway and the boys season is set to tip off on Friday.
But before a single whistle blew, there stood a unique meeting that brought local coaches and officials together.
"Hearing some of the coaches say how blessed we are in northwest Ohio with coaches and officials sitting in here is a great compliment," Jeff Mielcarek said.
Mielcarek, who is the president of the Northwest Ohio Basketball Officials Association, heard many positive comments on Oct. 30 inside St. Clement Hall. That's where five area coaches joined in on an association meeting to build upon the relationship between those on the sidelines and in stripes.
"I think it only helps because we're all looking for the same thing. They got a job to do, we got a job to do," Whitmer boys basketball head coach Anthony Stacey said. "The most important thing to realize is they're here to help. We got to be thankful to them because they have a tough job."
What made the Q&A forum so compelling is that it marked just the second time in which coaches sat in on a Northwest Ohio Basketball Officials Association meeting. There's no question that intensity in a sport like basketball can lead to some disconnect, but it's conversations like the ones had last month that can help provide a buffer.
"The biggest takeaway is for younger officials to see coaches outside of the court and developing a relationship," Michael Byrd, a 17-year veteran referee said. "Developing confidence on the court once they take the court."
Entering the 2023-24 season, there are approximately 194 members in the local basketball officials association. A number that Mielcarek said is good but not great in comparison to recent years.
With online certification now the top method for becoming an OHSAA official, recruitment has slightly increased according to Mielcarek. Yet, he doesn't view virtual training as carrying the same weight as hands-on.
"The verdict still remains to be seen on how we can retain the ones we have because they're not really being trained on the court as much as they need to be in any sport," Mielcarek said.
New rules play a factor as well. This season, the biggest change centers around free throws.
The one-and-one bonus is now gone which means no longer will team fouls be tallied per half. Instead, each quarter will reset and after five team fouls, the opposition will shoot two free throws.
"It's really going to be interesting," Evergreen girls basketball head coach Brittaney Cymbolin said. "I want to see how it pans out because I can see it going both ways with how we play with our aggressiveness."
On the boys side, Whitmer is just as tenacious with their defense but don't anticipate the new rule change to play much of a factor.
"For us, whatever the rules are we just adjust and play," Stacey said. "Obviously we'll discuss given they are a little different, but our approach and philosophy won't change at all."
Regardless of enforcement or participation amongst officials, the local hoops scene still banks on one thing: trust.
"I really do love the group of people we have out here. They're so good to our kids and they do a great job of not only calling the game but teaching it as well," Cymbolin said. "I think we're really blessed in this area to have such great officials, both men and women."
WTOL 11 will air its first basketball Big Board Friday show on Dec. 1 and feature the top matchups in boys and girls basketball.
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