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Girls state semi-final Friday night. Team A has a 3 point lead with 11.5 seconds to play. They are throwing the ball in in the front court, in front of B's bench, a little more than halfway to the center line. Obviously, team B is denying furiously.
The throw is headed pretty-much right down the sideline towards the baseline. Along the way, it seems to be deflected, but continues bouncing over the baseline. The clock never started during this action. There is much confusion. My view was blocked out briefly but it did appear that the ball was deflected, but I couldn't tell by whom.
After speaking to both coaches, the official gave the ball to team B at the exact spot where team A's throw had taken place. That would indicate to me that the throw had not been deflected. During the ensuing time out, someone suggested that the ball might have hit the official who was administering the throw in. That would explain the apparent deflection as well as the return to the original spot for Team B's throw.
Anyway, team B gets the ball and banks in a wild 3-pointer at the buzzer to tie the game and send it into overtime. While bedlam is taking place around me, someone mentioned that the clock not starting when the ball had supposedly touched the official had just cost team A the game.
Here is my question. (finally) On a throw in, if the ball touches an official, should the clock start? I said no, because only the ball being touched by a player can start the clock. Also, if an official is part of the floor, then the ball touching him is just like the ball touching the floor which means no starting of the clock.
Am I right, or did I make myself sound like an ignorant @$$ in front of everyone?
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