NEW JERSEY – After an incorrect referee decision that led Camden to beat Manasquan in the Group 2 Semifinal Boys Basketball by 65-64, Assemblyman Sean Kean is introducing legislation that would provide game clock review in certain high stakes high school games.
“With today’s technology, it seems outdated to say that no video recording may be used to review or challenge a clock decision,” said Kean. “Further, the NJSIAA made a statement that the game officials were in error but would take no action to rectify it. To prevent such a circumstance from happening again, let’s allow video to be reviewed and provide coaches with game clock review in certain instances.”
In the final seconds of the March 5 state semifinal game, Camden took a one-point lead to make the score 65-64.
Then Manasquan player Griffin Linstra scored a basket that game officials first indicated was good. However, the call was reversed after the three game officials came together and discussed it. The final decision was that the basket was not made before time expired, and Camden was declared the winner, Kean said.
After the game, the officials reviewed the video and determined that the basket should have counted.
“Needless to say, the Manasquan High School community is tremendously upset at this erroneous call and unfair decision. It has not only stunned the Manasquan community, but people across the nation. People are watching the video clips and cannot understand how this happened,” Kean said.
Under Kean’s legislation, high schools that host championship basketball games will offer game clock review capability.
The National Federation of High School Sports has approved replay in basketball state championship series since 2009, Kean said.
Also, replay is used to confirm correct rulings or overturn incorrect calls in numerous sports including basketball, baseball, football, and hockey. Under the proposed legislation, coaches will be allowed to challenge a game clock decision. Further, this legislation changes the NJSIAA rule to allow videos to be reviewed, Kean said.
