[Robmoz]

Last night I (U1) had this situation:

2:02 remaining in the 1st half, teams lined up for a FT, A1 shoots the FT. Ball in flight as B1 elbows A2 in the face (A2 out cold before he hits the floor). The situation nearly erupts but we immediately seperate all the players (no fight broke out) and summon the trainers/coach to attend to A2.

As a crew, we confer at center court and get all the details straight. The call is a flagarant T and B1 is removed from the gym.

EMS is called within two minutes as it is clear that A2 is seriously injured. After 10 minutes from incident and EMS has not arrived on scene yet, I suggest to my R that we suspend the game at this point and let the teams go to the locker rooms and we'll pick up where we left off after the scene is cleared. The R says he will confer with the coaches. Coaches disagree and wish to remain on the floor. Tension is growing among players, parents, and fans as 5 more minutes elapse (security has things well in check, still no EMS on scene). As we stand at the table discussing various details of events, I insist to the R that we send the teams in regardless of the coaches position but get no support for this move. I am totally disgusted by this but not trying to show it publicly.

15 minutes elapse from incident and EMS finally arrives (found out later that it was a volunteer fire dept). After an additional 10 minutes of triage and transport prep the floor is finally cleared. Order is restored and the teams are given 2 minutes to "warm-up" after standing around for nearly half an hour. The remaining 2:02 is played and then we go to halftime. Our halftime meeting was vibrant to say the least! R says he did not have the authority to suspend and resume as I had insisted because the teams did not want to do so.

Start of second half I convince my R to bring the coaches to the table and let them know that it is expected that they have their players on a tight leash. To their credit, each shook hands, apologized, and the second half was played without further incident.

Q. Do we have the authority to suspend play and send the teams to the locker rooms under 5.4.3 when the teams do not agree?.