So funny. I played on a team with a girl, ironically named Milly, who was absolutely hysterical. In a playoff game held at Lincoln Jr High in Syracuse, we were playing an all black team (who we all knew) and our team had one black starter. The 2 older white male refs were soooo nervous that they gave a warning to both teams that they didn't want "any trouble" before the game even started. As a captain, one ref said he'd hold me personally responsible for our team's behavior and told the captain on the other team the same. What was he talking about, it was so stupid that it ended up being funny that they were actually that frightened. Both teams were actually laughing. So he assumed there would be trouble because they were a black team and we were mainly white? By the way , the other team wore black jersies and the refs said they were calling the other team, "team red" because it was easier for them since we wore green. Really? lol.
They were a very good team, long, big, athletic and fast but we were good too with almost everyone having played college ball. After a rebound, Milly was dribbling down court when a player from the other team poked at the ball where it flew out of bounds. The other team ran down court waiting for our throw in when the ref who was visibly nervous - declared it to be the other team's ball. Millie who was standing with the ball ready to pass inbounds to me said "what? "Either it was poked out of bounds by the other team or you think I'm just so horrible that I suddenly decided to throw the ball out of bounds to nobody". She then handed the ball to the ref and started walking down court. The ref nervously yelled out "that's a technical". Millie turned and said "what for?" The ref said immediately " that's another technical, you are now out of the game". She says "I'm out of the game for saying "what for"?" Both teams and fans are laughing making him more nervous. He says "In fact I want you out of the game and out of this gym". Millie then says "saying what for", isn't a technical", then folding her elbow, placing her other arm in the crook of her elbow and thrusting her finger up, she says "this is a technical" and then puts both hands up with both index fingers straight up in the air up, saying "or this is a technical" (just like Homer above) as she walked out of the gym. The entire gym is laughing hysterically now. We ended up losing by 3 but it was one of the funniest things I ever saw. There's more funny stuff to this story but in the end, both teams went to our sponsor "Mrs O'Leary's" , had a few drinks and laughed together about everything. By the way, beers were served by Billy DeMarr, former SU BB player. Some refs can be such an interference to having a good game. This is from someone who was asked to be a ref and thinks they have one of the toughest jobs in one of the quickest most action filled sport that exists, however some can also be very insecure people who demand to have the last word.
I hope I didn't say anything too politically incorrect but Millhouses' thread subject made me laugh because it brought all this back to me. Sorry if I offended anyone - maybe it's one of those "you had to be there stories" but it was really funny at the time. (Also keep in mind this was 25 or so years ago.)