[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

The Ohio Special Olympics State Championship Finals are this weekend in Bowling Green, Ohio, I am Director of Officials, so I have been away from this thread for too many hours and I am starting to have withdrawal symptoms.

Going back to what Brad said in his first post. Brad's post concerning the held ball happens the instant that B1 causes an airborne A1 from releasing the ball for a field goal attempt or pass is correct per NFHS. The NCAA rule is that A1 must return to the floor before the held ball occurs. Until ten years or so ago (Al Battista of Washington, DC, could tell us without looking it up) the NFHS rule was the same as the NCAA rule.

Had the play in question been played under NFHS rules, the held ball would have occured as soon as B1 prevented A1 from releasing the ball.

At the opening games of the tournament today, many of us discussed the play and it was the consensus that the official was correct, but that the NCAA should seriously consider adopting the NFHS rule, making it a held ball immediately. I know that the officials who officiate games under both codes have to remember the line for The Gambler concering their whistle: know when to hold'em and know when to fold'em.