[Smitty]

While working the local 3-on-3 tourney here in Portland this summer (called Blazer's Street Jam here, but the same as Hoop It Up) I had my most satisfying experience in all my 12 years of officiating. The officiating was all volunteer - no pay, so there was some leeway as far as formality. I was working an adult competitive game and was dealing with the typical crap from one of the players - whining about me not calling enough. Then later in the game he gets free for a clear uncontested layup and misses badly. So I catch his eye and yell out "Make a layup! Make a layup! What's wrong with you?". He pretty much goes speechless and the folks watching the game behind me start to laugh. There was no sweeter feeling than being free to yell something back, for all those years when I couldn't. He and I had a good laugh about it after the game.