Punch - Unsportsmanlike conduct? Technical?

[bob jenkins]

Originally posted by CuriousFan
I'm sure this have been covered before, but I couldn't find it in the topic list...

OHAA (Ohio HS Athlitic ***.) game. About one minute left in the geme, B down by 3. A1 gets the pass, B1 defends closely and as A1 tries to pass, B1 fouls attempting to make the steal. Immediately after B1 passes the ball, B1 turns and punches A1 in the stomach (grazed).

Is it a technical? When/Why wouldn't it be?

Thank you in advance for your comments

It's definitely a flagrant foul.

Whether it's a technical or a personal foul will depend on the officials reading of the book -- some say that all fighting is a T; some say that live-ball contact fouls are Personal fouls.

As a practical matter, it matters little. Either way, it's 2 shots and the ball -- only the spot of the throw-in matters.