“I love the camaraderie and family vibe of the GBA (Gisborne Basketball Association), and the fact that everyone involved is focused on delivering opportunities for local kids, supporting them to be the best they can be,” Walsh said.
Walsh, 51, said that to stay in good physical condition for four days was a challenge, but he relished the chance to get feedback and tips from assessors at quartertime, halftime, three-quartertime and fulltime.
Ethan Ngarangione, 17, is the most highly qualified and experienced young official to have graced a GBA court.
A superb left-handed guard also, he moved here from Napier two years ago.
Ngarangione is a protégé of Donnette Daly (the first of only two women to be awarded a FIBA badge).
He and Walsh controlled the girls’ under-15 final (Hawke’s Bay 77 Waikato A 56) at the Trustpower Arena.
Walsh then covered the boys’ u15 A final (North Harbour Maroon 72 Tauranga 49) with Tauranga’s Paris Unwin. Ngarangione and Ben Taggart officiated for the boys’ u17 final (Waikato A 113 North Harbour Maroon 68).
Taggart, a native of Tamworth, New South Wales, and official of 11 years’ experience now with Tauranga City Basketball, controlled the Sebastian Wilson-led Gisborne u17s’ 91-84 semifinal win against New Plymouth Blue with Ngarangione.
“Ethan’s a great talent and has a big future,” Taggart said.
“It’s good to see the younger generation take the opportunity to showcase their skills. He’s worked hard and gone from strength to strength with his professionalism on and off the court.”
GBA life member and former National Basketball League referee Blumfield served as a trainer at a tournament during which Gisborne’s Jamieson Tapsell, Felix Sparks and GBA boys’ u17s coach Keenan Ruru-Poharama also blew their whistles.
“I assessed two of Brendan’s games,” Blumfield said.
“We did a spreadsheet and did debriefs and the like. By the time of the boys’ u15 final, as trail official, he was coming over halfway, stopping and so had a better view of the space between players. His mechanics — decision-making and signalling — improved vastly.
“Brendan’s fit, he runs, he gets the calls he makes right. He improved out of sight during that tournament.
“Ethan was head and shoulders above everyone else there bar Ben Taggart. Ethan’s young but referees very well. He’s light on his feet and quick to get into the right position. His mechanics are top-line. Even beyond that, he understands coaches and he’s very mature for his age.”
Mel Young Easter Classic head referee trainer and New Plymouth sports officiating legend Tony Eldershaw said: “That Ethan got the boys’ u17 final is a testament to his having come through the ranks, his temperament and his manner. He’s got the goods.
“It’s great for the game and Central Zone to have referees from Gisborne. To have someone of Cliff’s experience now working with youngsters in Gisborne is what we’ve wanted for a long time.”
