Situation at camp...

[zeedonk]

OK, this is my second summer as an official. Passed the IAABO test and am now certified and have headed out to the camp circuit this summer. Here's the situation:

3 man crew during 2nd day of camp. 3 observers watching our game. I am trail, tableside. A1 attempts a 3 from the baseline. Lead is right in front of him and we both signal the 3 attempt. I bring the shooter down and see no contact by defense. Goal is good- I signal good and hear L whistle a foul, which I believe is in the lane (because I see bodies on the ground.

Lead reports and begins to administer 1 shot. We were reporting and staying at the table at this camp, so I am now Lead administering free throw when I pull the three of us together to discuss why we are shooting. I ask lead- did you have a foul on shooter? He nods yes, but keeps moving. Center asks if he has off ball foul and he shakes his head no.

Lead re-reports the foul and one shot indication to table and puts shooter on the line. I am sure that shooter was not fouled, and to my everlasting shame, allow this to happen. I file this under "he made the call, let him live with it" as the game was not very close. Shooter misses foul shot and off we go.

Sure enough, after the game (only a few minutes remained), the observers kill us for this. I knew it was wrong, let it happen and expected to be killed afterwards. My explanation to the observers was as I described above, complete with the "I was sure shooter wasn't fouled"...

So my question is- how to deal with this in the future? I know that next time, I have to be stronger in making sure this error does not occur, but I mean in terms of discussing it afterwards- I did not simply point my finger at Lead and say "He did it, it's his fault" and wash my hands of it.

In terms of the discussion with the observers, how do we talk about it? I am sure the observers don't want me hanging my man out to dry. I admitted my part in the error and tried to clam up as much as possible. Is this a situation where it is expected that the crew eat crow for the error, or since it's a camp (and not a tryout camp) is it important to ferret out who screwed it up? Is it OK to back off a bad call by a partner to let him live with it or should I have forced the issue and delayed the game further while the officials argue amongst themselves? I'm sure that would not have gone over well either...

Thoughts?