[Ref in PA]

In last night's BV game, I am the lead (3 man) table side, along the base line. A1 is bringing the ball up court against a press in a loud gym. The trail is nearing mid court as the ball crosses midcourt. Coach yells to trail for a time out. Trail did not hear the coach or see the signal. I am looking at the two post players, C has a matchup on his side. We all miss the request. A1 does not. He stops his dribble, drops the ball and begins walking towards his coach. B1 picks up the ball and goes for an uncontested lay up. Ouch!

Coaches need to realize that the request can get missed by the refs and they need to try for eye contact with a ref when making a request. This coach made the request and turned away, assuming his gesture was seen. A1 was the real idiot on this play - to drop the ball without hearing a whistle. We all looked bad on that one. Lesson learned. As I looked up and saw what seem to be transpiring - I visibly see my matchup players relax and begin walking toward the bench, B1 picks up the ball at that point. Should I have blown my whistle and granted what seemed to be an obvious (in retrospect) time out request - lying, saying a saw the request? That would have bailed out my partner, but I did not think quick enough to do that. Now I am second guessing if I should have done that. What do you think?