Hundreds upon hundreds of basketball games – for boys and girls, high school and middle school – are scheduled for the season ahead throughout Central Oregon, and a pair of officials will be assigned to work at each and every one.

At least, that’s the plan.

”We desperately need new officials,” says Bob Reichert, longtime commissioner of the Central Oregon Basketball Officials Association.

Reichert notes that several of the association’s top-rated officials are not returning from last year. That could leave the COBOA in a real lurch.

So, the association is applying a full-court press in search of new officials. And anyone interested in becoming a youth basketball official is encouraged to attend the first COBOA meeting of the season, set for this Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in Bend.

The meeting will take place in the library at Sky View Middle School, 63555 18th St.

Reichert stresses that officiating experience is not required to join the association, and that training will be provided to all COBOA officials.

Both men and women are welcome to join.

”We’d love to have more women involved,” says Gregg Fowler, COBOA president.

According to Fowler, the association offers a full membership – which includes training and Oregon School Activities Association certification – and a limited membership, for officials who will be trained but will not be certified by the OSAA. Fowler explains that while full-membership officials qualify to work high-school and middle-school contests, officials with a limited membership typically are assigned only to middle-school games.

Prospective officials of high-school age can become limited association members.

COBOA officials are paid, and pay varies with the level of competition.

In addition to returning and prospective new officials, all area high school basketball coaches are encouraged to attend Wednesday’s meeting. According to Reichert, new rules and areas of rule emphasis will be discussed.

For more information, call Fowler at 389-9043 or Reichert at 382-3180.