[Adam]

What rule set?

In NFHS, it's a violation to leave the court for an unauthorized reason, not a technical foul.

At least he administered the Tech correctly once he called it.

Now, I'd love to read others' interp on how to administer the violation here. Since the violation is under 9-3 rather than 9-1, I'd clear the lane and shoot the free throw(s), then give the ball to the other team at the spot of the violation.

All that said, there's no way I'm calling this violation without a warning. And I'm not even giving a warning when the coach is already dealing with it. This ref was trying to show off his knowledge of the rule and blew it. Was he an older ref?