I am trail. A1 is dribbling the ball just past the half court, in a crowd of 4 players . The ball goes backcourt, and A1 recovers. I blow my whistle and signal over and back. Lead official comes in and notifies me the ball was tipped by the defense. There was no way that I could have seen this.

Good teamwork of bad call on my part?

I think that is excellent communication and teamwork. Kudo's to you and your partner for getting the call right.

Good communication, perhaps, but I'm wondering where the Lead was when he saw the deflection? If the dribbler was in the front court, I assume (?) the Lead was near the baseline, or at least getting close to that area. If so, he probably shouldn't have been looking that far out, with you right on the play. And if he WAS near the baseline, even if he saw the deflection I don't think I'd want MY partner coming out to me to inform me of a deflection. Let me "eat" the call if I'm wrong. But . . . it depends a lot on where he was and where/how the ball was deflected. Nothing wrong with coming up to me to communicate, as long as he lets ME make the final call and doesn't "take over" the call.

That's a good point. Off ball coverage is so very important.

Lead was along side of the bench, the defense was pressing so he was near half court, there was alot of action with a lot of players, so I'm sure he was helping me watch the situtaion.

He informed me it was tipped, and I made the final call.

If that is the case, then I think you still got it right.

No problem here. As you describe it, sounds like good teamwork, and good alertness on your partner's part for coming up to where the action was.