UNC’s Joel Berry: official hugs, apologizes for back-turning show

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – North Carolina guard Joel Berry II says official Ted Valentine has apologized for turning his back on the Tar Heels star earlier this month.

Valentine on Saturday worked his first North Carolina game since his display at Florida State on Jan. 3.

During that game, Berry protested a no-call against the Seminoles and Valentine responded by turning his back on him.

TV cameras on Saturday showed Valentine giving Berry a hug before the game against Georgia Tech. After the 15th-ranked Tar Heels’ 80-66 victory, Berry said the veteran official apologized.

Berry said Valentine “made sure that there was nothing wrong between us, and I told him it was all good.”

The first time Valentine blew his whistle in this game came when Berry drew a charging call on Georgia Tech’s Brandon Alston.