Let’s stick with high school hoops for another day. While we cussed and discussed what happened when Centura squared off with St. Paul last week, we might also consider the lessons from O.J. That’s Mayo, not Simpson.

High school senior O.J. Mayo is a legend among high school basketball cognoscenti, a young man whose fortunes have been followed closely since he first registered for middle school. Mayo is headed to USC in the fall.

First he is trying to lead his Huntington West Virginia High School team (his third high school) to national prominence. The town calls the team the Dream Team. It plays a national schedule against other high school powerhouses. ESPN, as has been its wont to do for a couple years now, broadcasts such high school games.

But Mayo was hit with two technicals during a game last week, the first one for taunting an opponent after a dunk and the second for failing to leave after a referee tried to break up a trash talking session between both teams at mid-court late in the fourth quarter. Two techs and you are gone for two games under West Virginia Secondary Schools Activities Commission (WVSSAC) rules, a harsh reality for Mayo considering Huntington is scheduled to play Artesia from Lakewood Calif., at Duke University Tuesday night. Big game. Bigger stage. Hold the Mayo?
Never fear. Citing numerous missteps and bias by the referees, Mayo’s attorneys won a restraining order allowing him and five teammates also suspended (for leaving the bench) to play, awaiting the adjudication of Mayo’s suit against WVSSAC officials charged with keeping some semblance of order.

Timing is everything. According to reports I read that were filed with the WVSSAC, the ref had it in for Mayo, baiting him into to such unseemly behavior. But all that will come out in the litigious wash like so many the stinky sweat socks and jock straps.

I’m not going to pass judgment on something I didn’t see, but I thought it was curious that in the suit filed in court by Mayo’s attorney’s they argued the superstar should be allowed to play because “The public interest favors the preservation of the plaintiff’s eligibility until the court is able to rule on its merits. This student athlete has worked extremely diligently in the classroom and basketball venue for the opportunity to represent his high school on a state and national level. The community has embraced his charisma, work ethic, and skills.”

Charisma? Bad faith referees? Law suits? Just another day at the gym.