[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

This is one of those plays where you are damned if you do and damned if you don't.

The Scorer's signal does not cause the ball to become dead. Since B1 had already started his shooting motion, the official should refrain from sounding his whistle unless, the official is absolutely sure that the Scorer's signal caused B1 to hesitate and/or stop his shooting motion, in that case, the official should sound his whistle and kill the play immediately even if the ball is in the air.

When the Scorer's signal is sounded during the middle of play, the officials should be very careful as to whether to stop play or not. But when it sounds during free throws, the free throw shooter should always be given the benefit of the doubt, even though good coaches teach his players to keep playing until they hear an official's whistle not to stop playing when they hear the horn.

MTD, Sr.