[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

In the play posted, the Referee cannot change the scorebook on his own. He discussed the play with his partner. His partner was sure that he reported the correct player to the Official Scorer. Evidently, the Referee's information that he gave to his partner was not enough to convince his partner change the Official Scorebook.

I am sure that all of us at one time or another in an effort to make sure we put the right player on the free throw line has accidently reported the fouled player's number to the Scorer at first and then immediately corrected his mistake. Especially when you hit fifty years of age (I am a case in point).

The fact that this play was on a breakaway with all ten players spread out along the length of the court and the two officials seperated by at least seventy feet (I am just guessing here, but I would hope that everybody would understand the point I am trying to make) can compound the problem. I admit that I do not know how I would handle a situation like this. I have many officiating friends that if I told them that they got it wrong would believe me and if they told me that I got it wrong I would believe them. And there are officials that I have worked with that all bets are off on anything that they do on the court. We just have to make the best of what we got.

The major point that I have in this thread is this: I am very troubled by the conduct of the Referee in this game and his comments to the Scorer and any other S/T Table personnel who might have heard the comments. I first impression is to put this official and the official in the next evening's game in the group of officials where all bets are off.