Out-of-state excursion beneficial for Webb Hoop commissioner views different tourneys

When my sister and I were kids, we looked forward to the days that we could get my Dad out of town and relax as a family.

Problem was, wherever we went, we made the so-called “milk run,” a term derived from Greyhound bus trips out of Bangor to every middlesex village and farm.

With apologies to Longfellow, those excursions with my father always involved stops along the way to view what the other guy was doing with retail sales in the grocery business.

In Maine, we have a similar situation with the state’s Commissioner of Basketball, Peter Webb.

March was the season of state finals in high school basketball, and Webb took in the festivities in five different states.

Like Dad, the Commissioner came away from his journey with a list of comparative areas that can improve conditions in his domain here.

In Webb, technically the head referee in our state under Maine Principals’ Association guidelines, basketball people have a man who goes out of his way to enhance conditions for all participants. That, in and of itself, is a plus for the basketball commission, the governing body of Webb’s duties.

This year, the Houlton native spent time in New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York, watching those hoop main events. He came away with numerous ideas for improvement at home for his officials in our state.

He also saw several unique areas civically such as promotion of the events that could go a long way in helping the game in general, especially at the high school level, Webb’s primary area of expertise.

The obvious question for someone in Peter’s position is this: Which state is the most similar to Maine in its handling of the post-season proceedings?

“Vermont was close,” said the likeable Webb, “but no one had a facility revered as highly as our Bangor Auditorium – no one.”

How about crowds, Peter?

“Massachusetts and Connecticut boasted crowds of 6,100 for their finals,” Webb said. For the record, a full house at the aforementioned Auditorium is right in that neighborhood.

Overall, the Commissioner added, Maine’s total crowds far surpass those of the other states.

All the school tournaments attended by Peter were sanctioned, principal association affairs, and they were all pushing and preaching sportsmanship to all participants.

All tournaments were played by enrollment classes. Most of the previously mentioned states divided their tourneys into 4 classes. New York was the exception. They have 3 divisions.

Tournaments were separated by gender throughout their proceedings. In Maine, there is a lot of gender mixing in the post-season sessions.

Webb has also attended finals in West Virginia and Kentucky. He wants to add Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia to his growing list next year.

The Commish was equally impressed with the number of student and adult volunteers who worked the tournaments he saw, but added, “Maine ranks at the top of any list I’d make for quality in terms of players, coaches, and officials.”

Webb, who is in the final year of his most recent three-year appointment with the MPA, said he is undecided about another term, but those who encourage him to seek another term know one thing for certain when Peter Webb steps to the plate: He’ll work tirelessly and travel extensively to help improve the game in Maine.

For that, we can all be thankful.

BDN columnist Ron Brown, a retired high school basketball coach, can be reached at bdnsports@bangordailynews.net