VIDEO: The dirtiest basketball player in America

We often chide referees for calling too many fouls. College refs like Ed Hightower and Ted Valentine seem to think people are there to watch them gyrate their hips while calling a charge. It’s annoying, it’s frustrating, and above all it makes the game unwatchable.

[VIDEO: NFL referees pull a Stooges act during a game]

Thankfully, there are those that don the ref pinstripes that care nothing for fouls–that could care less about controlling the game.

The clip below is of a high school basketball game in Washington (between Highland and Connell) last week. I use the term “game” here loosely, because, I imagine James Naismith did not envision this when he strapped a peach basket to a gym wall.

From the very outset, #34 of Connell uses his muscle to bludgeon, clothesline, and punch players repeatedly without any hesitation. The refs simply call fouls while kids reattach their severed limbs.

At first I laughed, then I laughed again. Ten minutes later, I changed my pants after soiling myself. It’s arguably the worst display of officiating since Game 6 of the 2002 Western Conference Finals.

Just watch.

My favorite is flagrant #5 because the clothesline resembled something out of Monday Night Raw. Hopefully, Vince McMahon gets this kid under contract ASAP. He plays a perfect ‘heel’.

*UPDATE*

#34 has been identified as Cole Vanderbilt, who, according to his grandmother, is a fine upstanding citizen.

“He’s a nice, young student in high school,” she said of her grandson, who couldn’t be reached for comment.

Vanderbilt has taken the negative attention to heart, but his team has rallied to support him, said Connell coach Oscar Garza.

“He’s a tough kid, but those that know him know he’s a teddy bear,” Garza said. “My 7-year-old son loves him and lights up when he’s around. But on (YouTube) he’s the world’s meanest, ugliest kid. It’s not fair, but I just want him to know his teammates and coaches are behind him.”

I should add here that last week, after posting the video, I received an “anonymous” email with a somewhat similar quote. Perhaps dear ol’ grandma finally activated that AOL account? Hmmm. Geriatric use of computers aside, the defense of young Vanderbilt from district officials is not only disturbing, it borders on the criminal.

David Pierce, a 30-year veteran of the Tri-Cities Sports Officials Association, took issue with Christenson’s contention, saying the referees did their jobs during the game.

“There were no problems and no fights. It’s getting painted as flagrant fouls or intentional fouls, but it doesn’t have anything to do with that,” Pierce said. “The guy took a camera and jaded it. He didn’t show the whole game. He showed six plays.”

As of now, no suspensions have been handed out for the incident, but I venture high school officials in Washington may keep a closer eye on the antics of the Connell basketball team.

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