[Dribble Drive]

Atmosphere was good and both teams have quality coaches whom I respect. Very,very physical game. First half, the big center for Letcher picked up two fouls and sat the remainder of the half. Knott was up 21-10 and Letcher closed that deficit by the half. Second half Knott couldn't get a call and was still up 4 with less than three minutes to go. Mullins is a very nice player and was hit hard on several calls that, in my opinion, should have been called. Knott was up by three or four points with less than 1:40 seconds and never got a call the rest of the game. Driving to the basket and drawing contact is part of the game but the girls were shoved to the floor and then fouls were called on Knott for playing defense. That put Letcher at the line where they lived and went ahead 41-40. In an erratic flurry of 20 seconds, Knott worked the ball to Mullins who was absolutely hacked and resulted in a rebound by #21 who was fouled but again no call. Ball was swung to #23 who was laid completely flat on the floor and had to delay the game to be escorted off. Again, no call. The big center finished with the same two fouls she picked up the first half I believe. She pushed off several times but again no call the entire half. Knott took bad shots and missed several layups the entire game so that's on them. Mullins missing the layup was probably anticipating getting hacked all game long. The officials absolutely were affected by the Letcher crowd and ran off the floor as fast as I have ever seen. I usually don't rant but this might be the worst game I've seen officiated in 15 years. I watched two other boys games in the 13th and the 15th during regionals but this didn't compare. I won't be surprised if video footage is sent in to be reviewed to monitor/review the referees as I have been told. It won't change the game's outcome but perhaps it will keep players from getting injured or worse, lead to fights on the floor which is what about occurred. We as fans deserve the best called game possible because the fans are what pays the schools and officials. This is becoming too common place and there has to be a line drawn in boys and girls.