Wednesday night, BV semi-final this year. About as well-matched game as you can get. Game ended up 60-56. Crowd in the game for the whole thing. Coaches animated, but nothing illegal. Dealt with some of everything, including fouled out players, blood, some very close block/charge situations (we were 4 for 4, according to our evaluator
). Travels as though the kids already had their NBE contract and were practicing their NBE moves.
Both coaches well-known in the region, with histories of success.
And in the end, it came down to who had the arrow for that last possession. I think we used the arrow 5 times all game... three to start each of the last 3 quarters, and two occasions to prevent undue roughness: one near the end of the game.
I didn't like it.
Like most officials, I completely understand the APA and it's fairness, etc. In addition, I do like FIBA rules better (though not some of their mechanics), and in the last 2 minutes of the game, the clock stops on made or awarded baskets, and TOs after a made or awarded basket have the TI go to half-court.
So I got thinking that maybe it'd be nice to have an actual jump ball for held ball situations under 2 minutes remaining in the game. It would be easier to implement in FIBA, because they already have a 2-minute rule. To introduce this into Fed, would be creating something new.
I know it would never go through, but I do think it would have led to an even more exciting ending.