FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- July 23, 2003 
CONTACT: Jason Mucher, Sports Information Director (585) 567-9559

HOUGHTON HOLDS FIRST-EVER BASKETBALL TEAM CAMP

HOUGHTON, N.Y. – Two weeks after seeing record participation in its basketball individual camps, Houghton College welcomed another 154 campers to its first-ever team camp, July 21-23.

Fifteen local high school boys and girls teams participated, playing in nine regulation-length games during the three-day event. Eleven schools from the area were represented: Cuba-Rushford, Genesee Valley, Franklinville, Fillmore, Houghton Academy, Keshequa, Pioneer, Portville, Scio, Wellsville, and Whitesville.

“It’s a great teaching opportunity for coaches,” said Houghton athletic director and camp co-director Skip Lord, who pointed out that this is the only team camp of its kind in Western New York. “It’s a service we can offer to area coaches and athletes.”

All the games were officiated by high school and college officials who were taking part in an officials’ clinic and were rated by professional evaluators. Some of the referees are hoping to make the jump from high school to college, while others are looking to move from small college to the Division I level.

Joe DeRosa and Diane Plas, who serve as supervisors of officials for the American Mideast Conference, were on hand to offer advice to the 34 officials taking part in the clinic. “When we come, we are trying to offer people as much information as we can so they get better,” said DeRosa, an NBA official who works 70-75 professional games a year, including 10 contests during the 2003 playoffs. “If someone catches our eye, we talk to them, follow them, and help them work up through the ranks. But it’s so competitive, and it’s a lot harder than it looks.”

Plas suggests aspiring officials learn as much as they can. “They should put themselves into whatever situation they can so they can get better,” said Plas, who has 30 years’ experience as a referee and supervisor. “It’s about learning all you can, but you need to find a camp or clinic that is going to teach you, not just show you.”-