Yep, nothing says they have to tell you at all if the scorer is really that bad.

pregame
 

Just have a discussion with scorer/timekeeper before each game, after the meeting with the Head Coach and Captain(s) and instruct them to sound the horn ASAP when there is a discrepency.

I thought we were talking about opinions about the rule, not what we have to do now.

I'm just pointing out your scenario is just unlikely or likely as mine.

Sorry, that is my opinion on the better course of action.

I agree, your scenario (incompetence) is more likely than mine. Mine is just more damaging to the game.

Changing the rule doesn't even prevent your scenario at all, really. If a scorer is going to intentionally wait to tell you, he could just as easily not tell you at all if his goal is to try to avoid the T for his team.

If a scorer truly has evil intentions, there is only so much we can do. I would like to see the oversight part of it removed. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know. I just thought we could take care of it at the end of the quarter."

Along these lines....

I was R for a varsity game, standing at the table before while the starting lineups were announced by the PA guy. Four home players are announced and four players run onto the court. But when the fifth starter is announced, it is not the same name as the last player on the bench.

The coach comes over and tells the scorer that No. 10 is starting tonight, not No. 21. The scorer takes out the eraser to change the book when I step in. I tell her not to make any changes....and then tell the coach the options: No. 21 starts and No. 10 can come in at the first dead ball. Or, No. 10 can start and we begin the game with two free throws for the visiting team. The coach opted to leave the book alone.

At halftime, I told the scorer that she cannot make any changes once the book had been approved without letting the officials know. She was not pleased with being told that. (I suspect I was not quite as neutral then as I am in retelling the story here.)

One thing about what you told the HC...remember NFHS 3-2-2a:

He could have changed the starter without penalty if any of these situations applied. I’m nerdy enough that I’d probably say “Coach, is #21 hurt or not feeling well? If not…” then I go into his other options. I’ll know whether his team needs to shoot a T or if the kid in question is wearing illegal equipment.