I haven't done a football or baseball game but I can't imagine a sport where you can take time to think and then pick the flag up after the fact being harder than basketball. Being out in the elements is a whole different thing.
Nevada's description of Nevada's (the state) politics is pretty accurate. When I first went to Nevada (the state) I felt the same way but I had two issues - I wasn't really ready for varsity and we used 2-man crews. By the time we went to 3-man I was ready for the games the politics and everything else. I can use Nevada (the person) as an example because I know him. I know for a fact that his situation would be like it is now because of the guys he associates with. That is not so say they are PC, that is to say they all want to get better and Nevada is known as the "rules guy" which isn't a bad thing either. I'm in the military so change of location is inevitable and my situation is the opposite of Nevada's. I went from doing the state final (some guy we know as Nevada was on the clock messing up
) to being in the DC area just trying to do a game. I would like to think I'm almost where I should be based on the current situation but I don't take anything for granted and continue to work hard.
My advice would be to take your time with Basketball and make sure you are ready or working towards the next level despite all the politics. If someone is ahead of you based only on politics they might have a short stay at their current level. I cannot stress enough, work on you skills first and foremost. If you have a passion and/or love for the game of basketball stay with it. Although I'm tired as heck right now I can't imagine this time of year without being on the court.