From Playing To Serving As Official
Deubner Gives Back
After excelling in sports as a high school athlete, Medicine Lake’s Abbie Deubner is now giving back to the game and is finding rewards by being a local basketball referee.
Deubner is in her fifth year as a member of the Montana Officials Association. She recently got quite a thrill when she was selected to referee the District 2C boys’ basketball tournament.
“When I got the call, it was pure excitement,” Deubner, who was an All-State high school girls’ basketball player, said. “There are a lot of awesome referees.”
After competing her playing career at Williston State College, Deubner said she was urged to try officiating by long-time referees Dean Nelson and Tim Polk. She also credits referee Michael Reiter of Froid for being an excellent mentor.
She has paid her dues by first officiating elementary and junior high games before advancing to high school contests.
Polk said that Deubner’s attributes include her basketball knowledge of playing at the high school and collegiate levels.
“She has a strong whistle and great communication,” Polk said. “She’s doing a solid job.”
He noted that it’s great to get younger individuals involved in officiating and urges others to try referring basketball or other sports.
Deubner’s playing career included helping Froid/Lake qualify for the Class C state tournament as a senior. The Red Hawks defeated MonDak in a challenge game to earn a state berth that season.
“That was the first time in many years,” Deubner said of the state berth. “I still remember Ryah Young making those free throws.”
Deubner continues to play the sport when open gyms are held in Froid. “I really enjoy both,” Deubner said of playing and officiating. “Reffing is a whole different perspective. Everybody thinks they can make calls from the stands. I now appreciate the sport more.”
She is hopeful that she gets selected to be work more tournaments in future years.
“It’s been a little nerve-racking, but fun at the same time,” she said of the District 2C tournament.
