Lead Center Trail

S5 E1 - Mental Agility

A new basketball season means new rules for players and referees to learn and adjust to. In this episode, 5th year official Stephen G. talks about the "mental agility" needed to adjust to one of the biggest rule changes in recent memory. Intro/Outro - DENIAL IS A RIVER by Doechii

S4 E6 - Art & Science

We all know the game; how to call it, what to do and when (art), but we don't always know the more technical part of the game -- the why behind what we do when we officiate games (science). In this episode, Stephen talks about a recent play that (he got wrong) that involved applying the art & science. Intro/Outro - El Mayor de los Ranas by Victor Valverde & JR Torres

S4 E5 - Saying "No".

It's hard to say no to opportunities that come your way, especially when the opportunity has the potential to raise your profile within a given space. So how (and why) do you say no? Intro/Outro - Anxiety by Doechii

S4 E4 - "Pass & Crash" and Then Some

Most basketball games have a similar shape, and most referees are prepared to deal with those games. But every now and then, something unconventional can happen and it's those games where the game requires a little more of you. In this episode Stephen interviews Rhian, a veteran official, who unpacks a crucial play in a recent game where there were some extracurriculars after a normal pass and crash play. Intro/Outro - tv off (instrumental) by DJ Mustard & Kendrick Lamar

S4 E3 - Leveling Up

I got "the bug" in the Summer of 2021 and became a member of my local IAABO board that fall. I took (and passed) the floor exam, putting me on the path to becoming a varsity official. What's next? Intro/Outro - Coming in Hot by Lecrae & Andy Mineo