Maybe it’s just me.

Maybe the answer is obvious, right in front of my face and I’m not seeing it.

I will pose the question anyway.

Why do basketball officials take so much guff from coaches and fans during the course of a game?

I especially wonder about this at high school games.

It’s almost comical when the sportsmanship code is read over the public address system in high school gyms. It talks about treating all players, coaches and officials with respect and that any conduct detrimental in any way is cause for dismissal.

The national anthem is played, starting lineups are introduced ... Then it’s open season on the refs.

I know people scream at football officials, baseball umpires and hockey referees, too, but it’s nothing compared to basketball.

Maybe it’s because everyone is so close to the action — and the officials’ ears — in high school basketball that fans cannot resist the temptation to give them an earful.

Handling coaches and players should be simple. All that needs done there is for officials to tell both parties during the pre-game meeting that they will issue one warning for any comment critical of their work.

After that one warning — if complaining persists — technical foul calls start coming.

Players and coaches would get real quiet at that point.

Yes, I’m aware of the phrase “working the officials” to try to get the next call or a call later in the game. If a coach wants an explanation, fine. It should go no farther.

Coaches coach. Players play. Officials officiate. Spectators encourage all participants in a positive manner.

End of story.

It doesn’t sound that difficult. It shouldn’t be.

Officials won’t issue the one-warning caution because they don’t want themselves appearing to be soft, showing that they can’t “take it.”

Bottom line is, they shouldn’t have to take it.

The guys in stripes aren’t there to be abused by anybody. They are not wearing one team’s uniform. Five guys aren’t playing against eight and they do call ‘em both ways.

A critical call one way or the other near the end of a close game is going to emit an emotional response from the stands. Understandable.

Other than that, let loose with your oohs and aahs, but get off the officials’ case.

Rude and insulting behavior toward any official should not be tolerated in any gym.

A packed gym for a high school basketball game should be rowdy. It should be loud. It should also be enthusiastic and exciting, not angry and antagonistic.

Basketball officials need to take charge of the latter a little more.

Sad thing is, they shouldn’t have to.

Because angry and antagonistic should not exist at such venues.

John Enrietto is sports editor of the Butler Eagle