i haven't brought this up yet either, but i think both of the younger female referees did a fine job. i saw them make some tough calls, unsportsmanlike, illegal holds, illegal slams, that aren't always the easiest to make. for that reason some officials simply chose to not make the call. many inexperience officials will simply chose to "turn the other cheek" rather than step up and make the call.

a point on the "why haven't you called it all year", again inexperience officials work 90-95% of the tourneys all year, then we get the top 10% at state who have probably made the same calls all year, but have only worked a few kids tourneys.

it's difficult to cover all the "small" rules at practice, so kids/ coaches/ parents have to learn them on the fly. unfortunately sometimes that lesson is learned at a very inopportune time (state tournament).

when it all comes down to it, who is to blame? the coach who spends too much time learning the spadle, and not enough time learnig the rule book? the parent who sits matside at practice and critiques every single step, rather than learning every little rule? or the referee who enforces the rules?