In my history of watching Rockland/Gardiner games I've come to believe that these two teams don't like each other. I mean, hey, both have a Tiger as a mascot! That'll fuel the competative fires from minute one. If you go back to very recent history, these two teams have been fouling each other alot, and with the "questionable" call(s) in last years playoff game....well. I believe these referee's could have come to this game with a less than open mind and the obvious need of maintaining control. I personally don't condone players backtalking a ref. I also don't believe slapping the floor in frustration should be a Technical. Ultimately it all falls to the head coaches but I know Cassidy well and in the next day's article about the game he's quoted as "disappointed in actions on both sides". He is then quoted to say, "We'll look to clean that up." As for the other side, I actually overheard a coach telling their star on the way to an interview with Mr. Hawkins, "Let's get this f---ing over with." Both teams will be competative this year. Both will play hard, and I may be biased but I do remember Gardiner's Jason Coan, a Senior, imploring the crowd to stop with the catcalling while Rockland's reserves were complaining to the ref. Sportsmanship and self discipline are good at Gardiner. It's the little things that prove it. The coach didn't question "every" call, he plans to clean "things" up and the reserves worked the crowd to keep the integrity of the game. Good coach, good kids. We just need to make a "few" more baskets.