[bainsey]

I'm sure I've brought this up here before, but it's worth telling again...

Best thing: My second year, I'm assign to a middle school boys' game. This one is truly a lopsided affair, as it's 52-0 H, after three quarters. It was one of those games where V clearly did not know what they were doing out there.

The saving grace for V came when H broke the plane a second time, techincal foul. It was, and perhaps will always be, the only time I reported a T to the coach, and the actually thanked me for such a call. ("Anything you can do to help these guys!...") First free throw hit, place erupts from both contingents.

Worst thing: Same game, and it happened during pre-game. Three days prior, a student from H was fatally shot by his mother's boyfriend. (Not guilty by reason of insanity. Don't get me started.) Needless to say, the school had been reeling from this unspeakable act, and I was aware that the victim was a student at this school. Before the game, I ask the A.D. how everyone is faring.

"It's day three," he says, "so we're starting to get back to normal. But the toughest part about this -- other than dealing with Anthony's death -- is explaining to 12 and 13 year-olds that there are some things in life that are, indeed, final."

That will always stick with me.