Fast Break

A Personal Story by Jim Schipper

When I got the assignment, I knew the game would be special. Along with partners Bob Wojcik and Johnny Robinson, I was assigned to work a Michigan Class A (large-school) regional basketball final for the second year in a row.

Just as last year, it would be Rockford against Grand Haven. Last year, Rockford won a double overtime thriller. I didn’t see how this game could be any more exciting. There was definite talent on the floor as both teams featured a top-level player. Ryan Majerle, nephew of NBA star Dan Majerle, of Rockford will be a senior next season, while Nate Van Arendonk will be a freshman at Central Michigan.

I had worked with both Bob and Johnny before, so I knew we would be prepared for just about anything that came our way. The game was played on a Wednesday night at a neutral site, Grandville High School.

The game started smoothly from an officiating standpoint, even if both teams struggled. There were a lot of missed shots, but the game still had a good flow.

I was surprised that we got into the locker room after one half in just about 30 minutes. Grand Haven led the Rams, 13-10, but it was going about as smoothly as it could.

As we came back on to the court after halftime, it crossed my mind that our 7 p.m. game could be over by 8:15 p.m. It would be nice to get home early for a change.

Little did we know what was about to happen.

The Buccaneers still led, 18-15, when one of their guards made a pass to Van Arendonk, a 6-foot-10 center. Van Arendonk took the ball, spun to his right and threw down a monster jam.

But as Van Arendonk grabbed the hoop to emphatically complete his dunk, the rim pulled out of the backboard and it shattered.

Most of the glass fell within a range of about 10 feet. The rim was no longer a part of the backboard. And what glass remained was in that pattern that you see when glass breaks. I’m not sure how it even stayed in the backboard.

Van Arendonk was celebrating by thumping his chest and his teammates were jumping around, celebrating as if that play had earned them the state title. Rockford’s players were walking around in a slight daze. Once they figured out what happened, they thought it was cool.

Fortunately, no players, spectators or officials were injured.

Unfortunately, we still had a quarter and a half to play.

After assessing the situation, I called Nate Hampton of the Michigan High School Athletic Association to let him know what was happening. Due to the tournament timeline, the game needed to be completed and not postponed. Then my partners and I met with the Grandville athletic director to figure out how to complete the game. We had three options.

Our first option was to attempt to replace the backboard. The athletic director said that the only possible one he had was in his auxiliary gym. The problem was that it would take two or three hours to move the backboard into position.

He did say that we could move the game into the auxiliary gym. That was not viable since there wasn’t much seating available. And with 2,500 people in attendance, along with a couple of radio stations doing broadcasts, that wasn’t feasible.

The last option turned out to be our best. I suggested moving the game to Jenison High School — a similar-sized school with sufficient seating that was only 10 minutes away.

After a phone call to the Jenison athletic director, we were set.

The teams left Grandville first, so they could get on their buses and arrive first. We, the game officials, left right behind the teams. Then a long caravan of fans made the trip. I can’t imagine what the neighbors thought about that many cars at that time of night.

We gave the teams some time to warm up, radio stations time to set up and the fans the opportunity to get settled in for the conclusion.

A little before 9 p.m. — so much for getting home early — with 2:37 remaining in the third quarter and Grand Haven leading, 20-15, the game was resumed. Grand Haven ended up hanging on to win the game, 39-36.

I was selected to work the Class A title game as well, but Grand Haven didn’t make it that far.

All the players, coaches, officials and fans have a great story to tell.