Observation Boys 3A Final in WA
 

Down under a minute and game was decided at this point. Lakes (team losing) fouls and puts Ranier Beach to the line for 1 and 1. All Ranier players stay back at half court. Two Lakes players assume the 1st spots and a 3rd Lakes player is in 3rd spot and proceeds to the 2nd spot and I saw administering official come into the lane and head towards Lakes player assuming the 2nd spot. The camera panned away to the crowd for a second and came back for the free throw and guess what, that Lakes player that had moved down to the 2nd sport was back up to the 3rd spot.

Am I correct that there is no rule reference that says the Lakes player cannot assume the 2nd position in this particular situation?

No you are not. Lane spaces are basically what I call "team specific" now. Defense gets the lowest spots. Offense gets the next spots, and the defense gets the spots above that. If a lane space is left open by the team entitled to that spot, the other team may not occupy it.

You are correct. Looks like the official in question got this wrong.
You couldn't be more wrong. Read 8-1-4 more closely.
Then, when you're done, go check out case play 8.1.4b. It's pretty clear that this should be allowed.

Wrong for high school. You're right for the college rule.
High school they can occupy an unused space.

All that is required is that the defense occupy the bottom lanes spaces on both sides. Other than that, if the offense doesn't want their allowed spaces, the defense can occupy.

Limit ??
 

I would like to add: Up to the limit of a total of four "defensive" players in the marked lane spaces. I believe that the fifth "defensive" player must be behind the free throw throw line extended, behind the three point arc.

Yes, as would any player who is not the shooter and is not properly in a marked lane space.

There is a restriction for NCAA-W, but not NCAA-M:

8-1.4
a. The two lane spaces closest to the end line shall remain open.
b. The first space on each side of the lane that is above and adjacent to the block is designated for an opponent of the free-thrower. The second lane space on each side of the lane is designated for a teammate of the free-thrower. The third available space on each side
of the lane is designated for an opponent of the free-thrower.
c. (Women) Teammates of the free-thrower shall not occupy lane spaces designated for opponents of the free-thrower; opponents of the freethrower shall not occupy lane spaces designated for teammates of the free-thrower.
d. (Men) Players shall be permitted to move along and across the lane to occupy a vacant space within the limitations listed in this rule.