GHSA Forces Replay of Game's Final Second

[SC Official]

GHSA agrees with Discovery boys basketball protest, forces replay of ending with Collins Hill | Sports | gwinnettprepsports.com

The Georgia High School Association sided with Discovery’s boys basketball team on a misinterpreted ruling in this past Saturday’s loss to Collins Hill, reversing the result and forcing the two teams to replay the game’s final second.

Collins Hill won the game 46-45 when Justin Lee made two free throws off a technical foul called on Discovery’s Kalu Ezikpe, who punched an inbounds pass away to run the final second off the clock. Titan officials were quick to point out the play shouldn’t have resulted in a technical foul, just a change of possession.

However, the game referees still awarded a technical foul and ensuing free throws to Collins Hill in the key Region 6-AAAAAAA game. Discovery officials pursued the case with the GHSA, which agreed that the officials ruled in error. The organization released the following statement on the verdict from executive director Robin Hines:

“After reviewing the incident that occurred at the end of the Collins Hill vs. Discovery boys basketball game, the GHSA has made the following ruling: A misapplication of NFHS Rule 9-4 (pg. 58 in the rule book) clearly occurred when the officiating crew assessed an ‘unsporting technical foul,’ rather than a simple violation, for striking the ball with a fist. Since this was NOT a ‘judgment call’ but a clear misapplication of a rule, play shall be resumed at the point of interruption when the violation occurred. It will be the responsibility of the two schools to determine when/where the resumption of play will take place and communicate that information with the local officials association and myself. Additionally, there shall be no added expense for officials assigned to finish the game in question.”

Collins Hill hosts Discovery on Tuesday, at which point they will play the final second of the previous matchup, likely before the regularly scheduled game. The Eagles will have possession under their basket at the restart, trailing 45-44 and needing to go the length of the court.

The outcome affects not just the two involved teams, but also the other teams currently in a logjam at the top of the region standings.

“For coaches in general, it lets you know your voice can be heard,” Discovery boys head coach Cory Cason said. “Like in all sports now, ultimately you just want the right decision to be made, whether it’s immediately after or after when you can look at it closer.”

The GHSA didn’t initially side with Discovery after it received emails on the subject. But Cason followed up with a phone call Monday to state his case.

“I’ll give Cory credit, he wasn’t willing to let it die at the first no,” Discovery athletic and activities director Chris Hall said.

“I was just determined to get (the GHSA officials) on the phone and at least get them to hear me out verbally,” Cason said. “It wasn’t opening Pandora’s box. It the last possession and it was clearly what decided the game. If they turn around (Tuesday) and they make a shot, they just win.”

If Collins Hill doesn’t make a shot, the Eagles’ record falls to 17-3 overall and 5-3 in the region — which knocks them out of a second-place tie with Duluth and Mountain View. Discovery then improves to 10-11 overall and 3-5 in the region.