Jamie Oster resembled an all-state linebacker when he wasplaying basketball for Brookhaven High School. A large neck, stronglegs, muscular shoulders and bulging biceps earned him the nicknameof “Moose.”

Twenty-seven years later, Oster remains in good physicalcondition. He stays in shape by officiating high school basketballgames. His latest assignment arrives tonight when he officiates theAll-Star Boys Basketball Game at Mississippi College inClinton.

“It’s an honor to be selected to officiate an all-star game,”said Oster, 45. He is a 1977 graduate of BHS. He played in theall-star game 27 years ago, making his selection more unique.

Oster estimates he has been calling ball games for at least 20years. He took a 5-year break from officiating when his children,Alana and Allen, were playing high school basketball.

“Officiating is something you want to learn and learn well,”said Oster. “The money doesn’t pay that well.”

Looking back on his athletic career, Oster said he was blessedwith three outstanding coaches in high school. He played basketballfor Coaches Bobby West, Tommy Goodson and Gwyn Young.

“They always told me, ‘What you put into it is what you’re goingto get out of it.’ It’s the same way with officiating.”

Oster, 6-foot-3, 230 pounds, attends his share of officiatingclinics. He also calls baseball games. He has participated inseveral SEC clinics.

“You have to work during the offseason, doing conditioningexercises,” said Oster. “It’s just like the offseason for athletesin sports. You can’t sit back and wait for the season tostart.”

Oster played junior college basketball at Co-Lin, playing forYoung and William Lewis.

“At (officiating) clinics you work on technique,” said Oster.”You work on trying to keep the game flowing. You try to keep thepace up-tempo.”

Over the years, Oster has listened to his share of irate coachesvent their anger and frustration on the zebras. A few years ago,coaches began drawing a fine from their governing association whenthey were ejected from a game.

“That hurt the coaches in the wallet and cooled them down some,”said Oster.

Still, Oster believes coaches have a right to disagree withcalls made by the officials. “They have a right to say something.That’s their livelihood. You allow them to speak their peace. Thenyou put up the stop sign.”

Oster approaches the game like a job. “You have to let thecoaches and players know you are taking care of business. They havea job and you have a job to do.”

There’s always room for improvement. “I’ve learned a lot fromsenior officials. You get ratings from coaches and take tests.”

According to Oster, the ultimate goal of a high school officialis to call a state tournament game. “I got to call theLanier/Provine game,” which determined the Class 4A state champion.”It was a lot of fun.”

He is certified to officiate Mississippi High School ActivitiesAssociation and Mississippi Private School Association games. Isthere a difference?

“You just go out there and blow your whistle,” answered Oster.”You take care of business. It doesn’t matter if it’s private orpublic.”

During the offseason, Oster calls a lot of AAU games during thesummer. It helps him stay in shape. “It doesn’t pay much but it’swork.”

Back in 1977, Oster helped the South beat the North all-stars95-61. Coaching the South were Gabe Terrell of Bogue Chitto andWillis Steenhuis of Jackson Central. One of Oster’s teammates wasButch Watkins of Bogue Chitto.

Looking through a scrapbook, Oster peered at some yellownewspaper clippings, one of them an all-star team picture. “We hada good group.”

Oster pointed to the names of Gulfport’s John May, Natchez’sLarry Baldwin, South Pike’s Kevin Magee and Florence’s Greg Grimwho went on to fame at Mississippi State.

“That was a fun week,” said Oster, smiling at the memory. “Wehad a good time.”

He’ll have another fun time tonight.

Write to sports editor Tom Goetz, c/o The DAILY LEADER, P.O.BOX 551, Brookhaven, MS 39602 or e-mailsports@dailyleader.com