Last nights scheduled game was not one I was particularly looking forward to, but I have accepted the fact that I was not contracted to do only the big ones.
The game was a GV contest between the district leaders (15-1) and the next to last place team (1-15). Partner and I pregamed game management practices such as keeping the clock running as much as possible and calling all obvious fouls on both teams.
Game starts and we can tell that home team (the 1-15 with only six players)does not want to be there. 1st quarter its 30-4, 2nd quarter its 50-10 with visitors still pressing, stealing, and laying up. I have several quick talks with home players and coach as their frustration starts showing.
Third quarter starts the same way until visitors guard loses ball next to the sideline in front of home bench and as home tries to secure the ball, visitor runs over her, knocking her to the floor( where she lays crying) and is called for the foul. Visitors coach did not see his guard lose the ball and can't understand why his girl was called for the foul. My in-brain play back video is not working and I am having trouble explaining to the coach why I called the foul on his girl, until partner reminds me the ball was loose. Something about that foul gets home team in the mood to start really playing and end of 3rd quarter score is 73-16.
This is where the whole night starts to change for me. 4th quarter is a slightly different game with home deciding finally to finish strong. Then, while standing on the sideline during a time-out, V boys ref comes to me and says
"one of the crew members forgot to put his bag in his car", and wants to know if I can stay and do the V boys game after the girls game. Girls game ends in uneventful fashion when visitors stop pressing with 3 minutes left and practice their 4 corners stall. Final score 81-21 and I'm so glad to hear the final horn as these games seem to last for hours.
Quick pregame with the boys crew, ball goes up and we are off to the races again. Takes a couple of times up and down the floor to get use to the difference in speed and play of the boys and to mentally switch between 2 person and 3 person mechanics. Great game to officiate with only a few coach interjections. Final score in this game is 53-49 and it seemed to be over in no time.
Time goes so much faster when you are having fun!