The nerves begin to build during the national anthem. He says a quick prayer, the ball is tipped, and the show begins for Plainfield High School public address announcer Terence Johnson.

By JERRY CARINO STAFF WRITER (Courier News) Sophomore guard Isiah Epps takes a sweet pass and converts a fast-break basket. "Isiah Eeeeeeasy Epps. Assist by Anthony Baskerville.' Freshman guard Tyrone Johnson drives the lane, scores and gets fouled. "Put it in the books!' Baskerville drains a 3-pointer. "Whoooooooop! Three-pointer by Anthony Baskerville.' Someone on the visiting team knocks down a 3-pointer. "Whoooooooop!' Johnson is natural behind the microphone. He's entertaining but not overbearing. His shtick is accompanied by substance, including halftime stats he keeps himself and the occasional out-of-town score. He pumps up the home crowd but gives the visitors their due. This is not something to be taken for granted. In many gyms, the PA announcer tells you the starting lineups and that's it. It's a luxury to hear who scored a given basket. A good announcer really does add to the atmosphere. And basketball, more than any other sport, lends itself to public address. The action is quick. Scores are constant. Emotions run high, and the crowd is more involved in the action than any other sport. This time of year, when tournaments and entire seasons may ride on a possession or two, the best announcers work the crowd like a conductor. "People want to get excited,' Johnson said. "You're going to set the tone for the game.' Not just anyone can do it. Johnson, who graduated Plainfield High School in 1994, works almost as hard as the guys in uniform. He keeps track of points, rebounds, assists, blocks, steals and fouls as the game goes on, giving the totals after each half. You can tell Johnson is a hoops junkie because he always calls out the assist. Even some college basketball PA announcers don't give you that. "It's like the game within the game,' he explained. "I like to see that they're sharing the basketball. That's what basketball is all about. I'll always announce if somebody gives an assist.' His other distinction is his 3-point "whoooooop!' It's something he picked up watching games in South Jersey. The best part is he's an equal-opportunity whooper. Whoever hits a trey -- Plainfield or visitor -- is getting the call. He's gotten numerous compliments from appreciative visiting fans. "At the microphone you don't want to be too partial. Obviously I'm the Plainfield announcer, but I feel every team deserves the opportunity,' he said. "My wife stopped me a little bit this year when we were losing. She said, 'I don't want to hear that when the other team hits a 3.' I talked to her about it and said, 'That's what I do.' ' Johnson said his favorite television announcer is Dick Vitale. That's funny, because it's the same thing Ken Greig said. Greig has been the voice of Immaculata sports for 19 years. "I think it's always important to get into the game,' said Greig, whose forceful 3-point call is well known in this area. "Don't just be there to call the action. Get into the game. To me he's a part of the game, and that's what I like to do as well.' As fun as it can be, sitting behind that microphone brings its share of challenges. First of all, there are no media guides that provide phonetic spellings. If a visitor's name is confusing, Greig has to seek out someone to give him the pronunciation. "I think the biggest challenge is getting the names right,' Greig said. "When there is something I'm not sure how to pronounce, there are some times you don't know. And you're not sure how it's going to come out even after you say it so many times.' Then there is actually seeing the game. When Immaculata's gym is overflowing with people, this is not a given. "It's such tight quarters, and sometimes people are standing up,' Greig said. "You're right there, and the benches are to your left and right. When coaches or players stand up, sometimes I find myself having to stand up.' Greig's distinctive voice, which has a way of cutting through even the rowdiest crowd, has landed him in a wide variety of venues. He announces marching band competitions all over the region, including ones in Giants Stadium and Baltimore'###&T Bank Stadium. Last Friday he called the Prime Time Shootout at Rutgers. But there's nothing that quite compares with doing a big home game in Immaculata's packed gym. "It is so hot in there. I'm sweating because I'm afraid I'm going to miss something,' said Greig, who will drink as many as three bottles of water during a game. "It's to a point where I am totally exhausted from an emotional standpoint and a voice standpoint.' Maybe the best part about Johnson, Greig and other top public address announcers is that they get into the game without overpowering it. A few years back there was an announcer in Hunterdon County who constantly interjected opinions to the point of distraction. "I think the greatest thing an announcer does it not make it about him,' said Voorhees girls basketball coach Carmen Cook, whose PA guy, Tom Plummer, is a good one. It's about the game, delivered with enthusiasm and a dash of personality. The public address announcer doesn't score any points. But the good ones can, and do, provide a nice assist. Put it in the books. Jerry Carino: jcarino@gannett.com