For a few hours on Friday, three former Webster Bearcats finally shared the court again. 

Veteran referees and 1985 Webster High School graduates — David Brown, Jerry Beers and Kevin Potas — have combined for more than 85 years officiating high school basketball. But prior to Friday’s doubleheader between Chamberlain and Mount Vernon/Plankinton, the three had never officiated a game together. 

Brown and Beers, who have both officiated basketball since 1987, have worked a number of games together through the years. But Potas, who has officiated for 16 years, finally joined his classmates on Friday to make it an all-Bearcat crew. 

“It’s probably more special to me because these guys have worked together a lot,” Potas said. “But if I never reffed another game again, I would be just fine because this is how I would want to go out.”

David Brown signals a foul on Friday in Plankinton. (Ryan Deal / 605 Sports)

The special occasion was made possible by Mount Vernon/Plankinton Athletic Director Eric Denning, who sent Brown some game dates and that setup the reunion.

“We were probably just together socializing and said ‘Maybe we should do this before we can’t do it anymore,’ ” said Brown, who works at CorTrust Bank in Mitchell. “That’s how it happened.”

Potas, who works in pharmaceutical sales in Sioux Falls, echoed Brown’s sentiments about taking advantage of the opportunity. 

“It’s a little bit indescribable honestly because these guys have been lifelong friends,” Potas said. “It’s the things you dream you can do with your classmates as we get older. We are at the stage where our kids are becoming adults and now we have more time. So why not do these types of things?”

Jerry Beers signals a 3-pointer on Friday in Plankinton. (Ryan Deal / 605 Sports)

They said it was the first time they’ve all been on a basketball court together since their senior seasons. And while officiating the action was at the forefront, the lifelong friends still relished sharing the court together again. 

“A lot of refereeing is about friendships and establishing friendships,” said Beers, who works at First Bank & Trust in Brookings. “But this is even better because it’s friendships that have been around for a long time and so you kind of rekindle friendships really.”