Let down
 

I had never officiated a game where at halftime, I didn't even grab a towel to wipe my forehead of sweat, until now!!!

I was one of the fortunate/unfortunate officials of this game that ended as the lowest scoring game in Oregon State Championship history. I was the lead official during the second quarter and didn't leave from there until approximately 6 seconds left in the quarter. The Springfield coach asked me at one point in time what I thought about it, in which I said "I just don't want to stiffen up just standing here".

Funny one about this is that my partner about 5 minutes into the second quarter asked the ball handler at the mid court area if she had dribbled yet or not because he wasn't quite sure after that amount of elapsed time.

One hour and two minute game and I think I blew my whistle a total of 11 times all game, just an approximate. The tournament director asked if we would like to donate our game check back or at least at a reduced rate, jokingly of course!

It was sad that stripes2255 ended up with this...he had an incredible tourney and could have easily been in the boys game with me or in place of me.

You look forward to a big end of season game when you get the call and the teams give you that! :(

Actionless contest
 

I have thought about this game a bunch since reading the post and watching the 2nd quarter in fast forward. What are your thoughts about calling this game a forfeit due to making the game an actionless contest? Reading the rule below there is nothing specific in the examples, in fact most refer to dead ball situations. Just curious about your thoughts, and Stripes would you have done anything diferently after having a chance to think about it?

Rule: 10-1-5


ART. 5

Allow the game to develop into an actionless contest, this includes the following and similar acts:

a. When the clock is not running consuming a full minute through not being ready when it is time to start either half.

b. Delay the game by preventing the ball from being made promptly live or from being put in play. See 7-5-1 and 8-1-2 for the resumption-of-play procedure to use after a time-out or the intermission between quarters. The procedure is used prior to charging a technical foul in these specific situations.

c. Commit a violation of the throw-in boundary-line plane, as in 9-2-10, after any team warning for delay.

d. Contact with the free thrower or a huddle of two or more players in the lane by either team prior to a free throw following any team warning for delay.

e. Interfering with the ball following a goal after any team warning for delay.

f. Not having the court ready for play following any time-out after any team warning for delay.

Of the six acts listed, which would be even close to what happened in this game?

It's not an official's job to inject himself into areas like this. The current rules allow a team to hold the ball all 8 minutes of each quarter if they like.

There's no rule that prevents a team from not playing basketball by holding the ball for 8 minutes.

No.

If any state wants to do away with this sort of tactic, they can start using a shot clock. The frequency of these games is rare enough that I don't think it's a problem, let alone one worth spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to install shot clocks across any given state.

The only action which possibly could have been taken is having the coaches agree to shorten a quarter. The Trail could have asked if Coach A was going to hold the ball and if Coach B was going to allow it or put on defensive pressure. With the proper info the referee does have the ability to shorten the quarter to prevent everyone from just standing around and waiting. Say put 30 seconds on the clock and just play that.

Not that I would have done this, but it is what I thought of about seven years ago after I officiated a girls postseason contest in which one team held the ball for both the second and third quarters.

Otherwise, there is nothing for the officials to do, but stand there and observe.

Note that ALL of these either occur with the clock stopped or the ball dead. None of them are live ball with the clock running.

many years ago I had a similar situation. At the start of the 3rd quarter, Team A inbounded the ball and held it until 1 minute to play in the quarter.
As soon as they threw the ball in the coach loudly instructed "Hold the ball until 1 minute to play". It was a girls game. Defensive team were doing cheers to pass the time. I was the lead and I had the thought.. "Did A1 dribble? What foot is the pivot foot?" Luckly, as soon as it hit 1 minute, A1 passed the ball.:)

Imagine having to call an illegal dribble after both teams just stood there for five minutes? That would've been hilarious!

Do the girls enjoy this? What would be the purpose of a coach employing such a strategy, especially with his team behind?

Somebody had the under?

BV, years ago. Kid holding for one shot in the last minute of the half wiped the bottom of one shoe............then the other. Yes, this really happened.

Did you call traveling?
In the spirit of the rule, did he actually do anything wrong?:rolleyes: YES!

The basketball gods don't look too kindly on this brand of "basketball." ;)