A Quick Story About Two Games

October 28th, 2023

I know this is late and I really wish that I had a good excuse for it being so. Last week, I reffed the first and last games on "my" court (TMC). In the first gam, Shoot Your Shot jumped out to a quick lead on Below The Rim, but then it settled into a battle. The teams traded the lead back and forth down the stretch. As the game grew tighter, both teams started complaining about my calls like the cool guys that they are. (Actually, I really like everybody on both teams. They embody the spirit of the Tucson basketball League--play hard, respect the game and your opponents, don't be an ass.)

With one second left, Shoot Your Shot had the ball out of bounds near halfcourt. Under The Rim called timeout. I happened to be standing by the scorer's table, talking to Danielle (the scorekeeper). I heard the Below The Rim guys talking about fouling as soon as the ball was inbounded. I told them that if they fouled, I would call it intentional and give the other team two shots. (Now, during the playoffs, that would be the right strategy and I would call it straight. But, it was a regular-season game, so play some defense.)

Shoot Your Shot throws it in to a guy 30 feet from the basket and his back to the basket! He spins around, throws it up, and it hits dead bottom as the buzzer sounds. A couple of the Below The Rim guys were livid, but what the heck? If the same scenario ever happens in the playoffs, go ahead and foul and we'll call it straight.

In the nightcap, Swoosh and Elrio Vets put on a classic. Just a great game. Good shooting, tough rebounding, occasional defense. We actually, started the game a couple minutes before 8:00 because both teams were ready to go. I also wanted to get done before the game being reffed by David Cuen, who has this bizarre fetish about punctuality. I was all ready to be sitting down, waiting as David brought his game ball and scorebook over from the Mountain court. And yeah, my game goes overtime. David comes over, sits down, and watches the overtime.

When the game got over, I called both teams together and thanked them for playing and exhibiting the post-game sportsmanship that they did. I love this league!!