nnual Norwich Family Y Gus Macker 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament only days away, organizers of the event are scrambling to find enough “busters” and referees to monitor each game.

Gus Busters, or game officials, are a necessary component in making sure all games run as smoothly as possible. They are needed mainly to keep the peace in each game, said the Y’s Macker tourney director Tom Revoir.

“We are in trouble – more than we’ve ever been. Each year, this is always a problem. Usually by this time, we’re all set, but we’re just not this year,” said Revoir.

Currently, there are enough Busters signed up to officiate games on only two-thirds of the basketball courts that will be set up along East Main Street for the weekend event. The shortage in Gus Busters is leading Revoir to consider alternatives such as leaving the adult courts without Gus Busters for the first time since the tournament began in 1995. “For me to effectively run this event, I need at least 70 Busters,” said Revoir. “It’s going to be very tough for the guys who are volunteering. There’s not going to be much of a break for them,”