Foul in the last second

[jearef]

We get hired to officiate the game, from opening toss to final horn. A few years ago, I was in the same situation. I held the whistle. The coach, who is a 100% class guy, stops me on my way out of the building. He says "I know you guys don't like to blow the whistle in the last few minutes of a game that has been decided, but the kid that got fouled only gets to play in those games. He hasn't scored yet this year, and now he may not get the chance again." Gave me a whole new perspective. The kids on the bench work hard all year, and they get very few chances to shine. They deserve the same effort we give the rest of the game.