Klutzy on the End Line

[DesMoines]

Last night, JV Boys. After a made basket A tries to pick up the ball while crossing the end line to throw it in. He got completely out of bounds, but fumbled the ball, half slapped at it, booted it off the back wall (smaller gym) and then it rolled six feet out onto the court. He takes three steps onto the court and picks it up.

I whistled him for a throw in violation.

Coach (who is, BTW, up by 25): He never had possession of the ball out of bounds.

I gave him a "no" head shake and kept on going.

I tried to look it up, but couldn't find a case play or anything. I think that if his team mate had grabbed it, we play on. If it's 5th graders, I probably give it back to him for a do-over, but not JV.

It didn't matter in this case, but I want to make sure it's right next time.