COLUMBIA, Mo. -- For those involved in high school basketball in Missouri, the season begins at the dawn of November with one dream in mind -- to get to the state finals at Mizzou Arena in Columbia by March.
Players fantasize about gracing the same court as some of the best high school products to ever come out of the state. That dream is the same for the third team on the court in any given game -- the officials.
This weekend, one local official reached the pinnacle yet again.
Bobby Godwin, a Poplar Bluff native, capped his season on the same day eight other teams did, officiating a state championship on Norm Stewart Court on Saturday. It was his fifth trip to the Show-Me Showdown in his 30-year career.
"It gives you the chills the moment you walk in," Godwin said. "It's just nice to be honored and chosen because you never know. There's a lot of guys that have gotten to call a long time that haven't gotten to come, so that just opens my eyes to how fortunate I am."
When Godwin and his crew stepped on the court for a Class 5 boys semifinal between Webster Groves and Kickapoo, they inherited an instant classic Friday.
Webster Groves led by as many as eight in the first half but had to withstand one Kickapoo haymaker after another right down to the wire.
Webster Groves knocked down a 3-pointer just before the third quarter ended that tied the game at 45, then later came up with a steal that led to a transition dunk for a 53-51 lead with 1 minute, 35 seconds to play.
Kickapoo's last long-distance bucket gave the Chiefs a 57-55 lead with 18 seconds to play before junior Courtney Ramey answered with a runner and hit the ensuing free throw with seven seconds to play to lift Webster Groves to a heart-stopping 58-57 victory that left Godwin and his crew a game they'll never forget.
"You never know what you're going to get when you get up here and we had just talked about how we might be getting the big one," Godwin said. "Every game before that had been a pretty big point difference and I said, 'You know it's coming boys, you know it's coming.' We just happened to get the best game of the weekend and man was it a good one to call."
Godwin's journey to Columbia was a long one. On top of his job as the Black River Coliseum director, Godwin estimates he officiated around 60 games during the season.
Each game, no matter the teams, is an important one for officials. They are rated by the coaches they officiate for throughout the year as well as MSHSAA evaluators who can show up on any given night. Evaluators grade them, inform them of their progress throughout the year and send their recommendations on who is most deserving to officiate at state near the end of the season.
Getting that call to go officiate in Columbia is a referee's equivalent of winning a quarterfinal, Godwin said.
"You work hard all year to get to come do these and you get to see teams that you don't normally get, so to hear that you were one of the best in the area is pretty special," Godwin said. "As for the experience, everybody doesn't know your name, so it's nice not to have the parents or the coaches yelling, 'Bobby, come on.' You get away and call with some great officials from around the state."
Godwin was joined on the court by an official from St. Louis and one from Springfield. The trio got a chance to meet one another at a dinner Thursday and share some stories. Combined, Godwin's crew had over 100 years of officiating experience, but that didn't make the job an easier.
"You don't feel as comfortable, that's for sure," Godwin said. "When you call with Pat Carda and Lee Jones and those guys all year long, you know where they're going to be and what they're thinking all the time. It can take a little time to get that with these guys but as the game goes along we start to get comfortable with one another and it becomes a really great experience."
While he's not quite ready to turn in his whistle, Godwin said this trip to Columbia may be his last. He's recently backed off on his officiating schedule so he can spend more time with his family, and expects to call even less next season.
Even if it is his final run to the state championship, Godwin said it has all been worthwhile.
"I don't know if they're going to send me out to pasture with this one or what, but I've enjoyed it every time," Godwin said. "You don't expect it but once you get a taste of it, boy you want it every year. If you get chosen you better enjoy it because you don't know when it's your last."