eReferee's comments:
"Milton Carter calls a foul on the shot and Rich Almstedt follows up with a technical after a player kicks the ball in the Denton Ryan-Dallas Madison 4A Championship Game. (3.2MB)
This play poses a tough situation for the officials. There is a great no call on the shot by Red #20. His teammate secures the ball and drives to the basket where he scores and is fouled, setting up a three-point opportunity. Red #4 subsequently places the ball and taunts Gold #12, who then kicks the ball at Red #4. The official correctly calls Gold #12 with a technical foul, but fails to penalize Red #4 for his actions. Taunting and baiting should never be tolerated. Someone on the crew must see the entire action. Again, this occurred during a dead ball period. Officials must maintain a high-level of concentration when the ball is not live."
My comments:
I somewhat disagree with eReferees comments. This is marginal taunting, and Red #4 only placed the ball on the floor. It is a stretch to attribute taunting to this action, but other actions within the course of the game may have made this judgment necessary. Thus, that both players should be penalized if any penalty is going to be given would be excessive.
I agree with Almstedt that only Gold #12 should be penalized with a technical foul. It was a definite kick of the ball toward Red #4, and it made contact with his legs.
Could the kick have been overlooked? Probably not, but only in the course of the game could such a decision be made. Many things may have happened between the two teams or involving these particular players that could have constituted just cause for penalizing them for their actions. Thus, only the referees on the floor are in a position to decide the criticality of whether or not to make such a call.
Jim Dixon
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