Both 4A and 5A hoops to go with three officials

The state's largest classification will use three basketball officials this season after all.

Last spring 5A administrators cited cost concerns as part of the reason they voted not to continue what started as a pilot program to use three officials instead of two. The 4A administrators, however, voted to continue using three officials at that time.

On Wednesday, the Utah High School Activities Association announced that 5A schools voted to reverse that decision, which means both classifications will use three officials this season.

"In the last week the four regions met and voted," said Mike Petty, supervisor of officials for the Utah High School Activities Association. "Three regions voted to have the officials, one voted not to have it."

The issue resurfaced about a week ago at the UHSAA's Executive Committee meeting. Region 1 representative, Scott Tennis, said there had been a number of new principals in the district who wanted to revisit the issues.

UHSAA staff members asked the region representatives to consult with coaches and principals to see how they felt about reversing the decision.

Petty said some of the concerns have been financial, while others have been about the number of qualified officials. He is confident that not only are there enough qualified officials to assign three to each varsity game in 4A and 5A, but that it will actually improve the overall quality and eventually the quantity of officials.

"It's a benefit not only in what it brings to the game," Petty said. "It will give younger officials the opportunity to work at a higher level sooner. I think that will help in the long run to benefit our pool of officials."

Utah is one of the few states in the National Federation of State High School Associations that does not use three officials at all levels.

During the executive committee meeting some of the representatives from 1A, 2A and 3A voiced concern that because most officials prefer to work in three-man crews, they wouldn't get the best referees at their games.

Petty said that will not happen as he assigns the games and will require officials to work all levels.

"Most officials are willing to work all of the games," he said.