By Nate Beutel
It’s a scene you see before the tip of every high school basketball game. The officials come to the scorer’s table and exchange pleasantries with those seated.
Often times, I’ll get into the act as well. And lately I just can’t stop running into familiar faces. Some of you might be surprised who dons the black and white stripes on a nightly basis.
1. Joe Sarkees — Niagara Falls boys and girls tennis coach.
2. Bruce Hoffman — father of state champion diver Shawn Hoffman from NT.
3. Johnny Davis — father of NT boys hoops all-time leading scorer Aaron Davis.
4. Mike Hamilton — Niagara Falls Boys & Girls Club Program Director.
5. Rick Tomm — NT football defensive coordinator.
6. Mike O’Bryan — Ken East boys all-time leading scorer and my modified hoops coach.
7. Mike Greenberg — veteran accountant and bookkeeper in NT.
8. Sil Dan — current Park and former Cardinal O’Hara boys hoops coach.
9. Gil Licata — Starpoint principal and father of Williamsville South standout quarterback Joe Licata.
10. Fr. Jerry Bartko — Niagara Catholic priest.
Getting gentlemen like those above is a reflection on the efforts of local board presidents Benji Bluman (boys) and Mike Telluto (girls).
And guess what, you too can join the officiating ranks. The local boards are always looking for new applicants. Classes are normally held in the fall prior to the beginning of the high school season. Visit www.board53.com for the boys or www.wnybows.org for the girls.
n My only complaint for the striped folks on the girls level is that lately there have been several instances of officials being assigned to the varsity and JV games on the same night. I’m sorry, but that’s just not acceptable. There have to be other alternatives. Let’s give the girls a fair shake.
Around the Gyms
Big kudos go to the girls basketball program at Niagara-Wheatfield, which recently donated $625 to the American Cancer Society. It’s the second season coaches Diane Fegatilli and Kevin Schuker have had their varsity and JV teams participate in a Coaches vs. Cancer fundraising event. Last week, the N-W players collected donations, held a basket raffle and sold both pin-up cards and bracelets. The team also sported pink T-shirts during its game against Niagara Falls… The latest state rankings have only two local teams in them. Niagara Falls is 17th in boys Class AA, while Lockport is 15th in girls Class AA. For you Falls fans out there, Jamestown and Sweet Home were both above NFHS this past week but will likely slip after losses on Friday… One of the greatest rivalries in all of Western New York is renewed today when Canisius visits St. Joe’s. My money is on the Marauders handing the Crusaders their first Monsignor Martin loss of the year.
Contact reporter Nate Beutel at 282-2311, ext. 2262 or nate.beutel@niagara-gazette.com.
