another shot clock question

[Marty Rogers]

Dan Ref: I wish you were my partner earlier tonight.
JV boys, I am the trail, shot goes up from 3 point arc, buzzer buzzes, ball enters hoop. I indicate the goal counts. My partner comes out with a "no basket" and explains very firmly (to the table) that the ball was in the air when the 30 sec clock buzzed, and it must hit the rim before the buzzer. This is not like a last second shot where the ball can be in the air (he said). This was a 20 year veteran. I kept thinking about no team control during a try, that the goal should count, and we (he) should have ignored the horn. Then I thought maybe I was the crazy one...