Technical for Illegal Noisemakers

[Grail]

Attended an Illinois Boys SuperSectional game last night and saw something I didn't think was correct.

Late in the 4th quater of an 8 point game, Team A is shooting a 2nd Free Throw when a fan of Team B pops a balloon. The crowd had been informed several times that they could not use artificial noisemakers during the game, including one warning about popping balloons.

After the shot (missed and rebounded by B), one of the officials blows the whistle, gathers his partners and heads for the scorers table. The PA announcer announces that artifical noisemakers are illegal and a Technical Foul can be assessed, as well as the person responsible being ejected. Then he announces that Technical Foul has been called and Team A will shoot 2 Free Throws. I don't recall the rule book giving the official the leeway to call a Technical in this situation.

While the call probably did not change the outcome of the game, it did end any chance for Team B to catch up. 8 points in 2 minutes is difficult to make up but not impossible, but adding the 1st made free throw, 2 made technicals, and the 2 points after getting the ball back, along with the time off the clock took any chance of a comeback away from Team B.

Any comments?