T for Fan Throwing Bottle on the Court

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

How about the kid who just got cut from the varsity team? Or this kid's cousin, who is a fan of the opposing team?

Don't bring in other factors which aren't relevant.
The topic is that a team follower throws a bottle onto the court. The individual is clearly identified and it is known with which team the person is associated. The NFHS rules book clearly gives the officials the ability to penalize such action which interferes with the contest with a technical foul. Obviously, discretion must be used.

2-8-1

The officials shall:

ART. 1 . . .

Penalize unsporting conduct by any player, coach, substitute, team
attendant or follower.

NOTE:

The home management or game committee is responsible for spectator behavior,
insofar as it can reasonably be expected to control the spectators. The officials may rule
fouls on either team if its supporters act in such a way as to interfere with the proper
conduct of the game. Discretion must be used in ruling such fouls, however, lest a team
be unjustly penalized. When team supporters become unruly or interfere with the orderly
progress of the game, the officials shall stop the game until the host management
resolves the situation and the game can proceed in an orderly manner. In the absence of
a designated school representative, the home coach shall serve as the host management.