[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

The casebook play that covers this situation for both NCAA and NFHS rules is found in the NFHS Casebook. See Play 5.10.1C.

In this play there are twelve seconds remaining in the fourth quarter when Team A inbounds the ball in their backcourt. A1's throw-in pass is to A2 in Team A's backcourt where A2 dribbles the ball until the horn sounds. The game is over. The clock may not be reset as there are no rule provisions to do this. If the count was not accurate or was not made, it cannot be corrected. There is no provision for the correction of an error makde in the official's accuracy in counting seconds.

One other play that can be looked at is NFHS Casebook Play 5.10.2.

In this play, there are five seconds on the clock as A1 is bounced the ball for a throw-in. The throw-in is completed to A2. The official properly signals the clock to start and immediately begins a closey-guarded count on A2. The official reaches a count of three seconds when B1 fouls A2. The official stops play properly and reports the foul at the table. The timer reports that he/she did not start the clock when the throw-in was touched by A2. The clock still shows five seconds. The referee will order the clock set at two seconds. The referee has definite knowledge of the amount of time involved in this situation by using the closely-guarded count.