NFHS Exam - Notes

A few nuggets regarding the NFHS Exam, which will be administered Nov. 30 at Lansdowne High School at 7 p.m. This is a required meeting/test date. If you cannot attend, the makeup date is Dec. 1 at 7 p.m., also at Lansdowne.

The test is 100 questions. You must score a 75 percent in order to officiate in 2009-10. If you do not score at least a 75, you must take the test again on Dec. 1.

I will administer the test on Nov. 30. The esteemed Lou Engle will administer the test on Dec. 1.

All basketball officials who work public-school games in Maryland must take the test and pass, and thus be registered with the MPSSAA.

If you are a dual member to Board 23 and paid only the $68 in dues to Board 23, do not take the test with Board 23. You must take the test with your home IAABO board. Some dual members paid $90 in dues because they wish to take the test with Board 23 and be registered with the MPSSAA through Board 23. Those dual members who paid $90 should take the test Nov. 30 at Lansdowne. There are only five dual members who paid the $90.

Again, if you're a dual member and only paid the $68 dual-member dues, you must take the NFHS Exam with your home IAABO board. The vast majority of dual members only paid the $68, so if you're a dual member, chances are you'll be taking the test with your home board.

If you have questions about your membership status, e-mail me.

Please bring a No. 2 pencil to the exam. Good luck to all!

-PK

MPSSAA Announces 2009-10 Basketball Schedule

The Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA) has released its opening and closing dates for the 2009-10 basketball season. For your reference:

Nov. 14: First practice date
Friday, Dec. 4: First play date
Feb. 20: Last play date for seeding consideration
Feb. 21: Draw for MPSSAA tournament
Feb. 25: Last play date
Friday, Feb. 26: MPSSAA tournament begins with girls' games and/or girls/boys doubleheader at same site
Saturday, Feb. 27: MPSSAA tournament boys' games
Monday, March 1: MPSSAA tournament girls' region quarterfinals
Tuesday, March 2: MPSSAA tournament boys' region quarterfinals
Wednesday, March 3: MPSSAA tournament girls' region semifinals
Thursday, March 4: MPSSAA tournament boys' region semifinals
Friday, March 5: MPSSAA tournament girls' region finals
Saturday, March 6: MPSSAA tournament boys' region finals
March 11-12: MPSSAA state semifinals
March 13: MPSSAA state championship games

March Madness - Weather Edition

March Madness is here with the MPSSAA Tournament moving into the regional quarterfinal round beginning March 2. It's also here with the arrival of a winter storm that is predicted by people with alleged degrees in meteorology to dump anywhere from 3 to 10 inches of snow in Baltimore and Anne Arundel counties. Who knows?

What we do know is that the MPSSAA has posted the following statement on its Web site (www.mpssaa.org) with respect to the weather and the tournament schedule. Boys' games are scheduled for March 2, "weather permitting." Girls' games are scheduled for March 3. Here is the rest of the statement:

"Please note postponed regional basketball games shall be made up on the next available date. All games shall be played on consecutive days until teams are able to resume playing on the originally established schedule."

If you are working on the floor or as the table official for MPSSAA regional quarterfinal games, be sure to check the media for school closings and your e-mail/The Arbiter frequently for rescheduled games. Stay in touch with your partners.

-PK