Play of the Day #284 (2022-23)

The play described below is provided for your review and discussion. The rulings given are based on NFHS rules. NCAA rulings may be different.

Team A is leading by one point. B-5 is fouled during rebounding action at Team B’s basket. There are 5.4 seconds remaining in the game. This is Team A’s 10th team foul of the half. However, the table fails to notify the officials and a 1-and-1 bonus situation is announced by the officials. B-5 misses the free throw and A-3 gets the rebound and starts up the court. B-5 intentionally fouls A-3 by shoving her in the back. There is now 3.9 seconds on the clock.

After reporting the foul, the officials are notified about the failure to award the second free throw. After consulting with each other, the officials rule that B-5 will be awarded her second free throw. They also rule the play will proceed off the make or miss since there had been no change of possession since the failure to award the second free throw.

Were the officials correct?

The officials were not correct. Although it is true that there has been no change of possession since the failure to award the second free throw, there has been a foul. Although that foul occurred due to the failure to award two free throws, that foul cannot be ignored. The penalties will be assessed in the order that they occurred.

B-5 should be awarded her second free throw with no players lined up along the lane. Then A-3 is awarded two free throws with no players lined up along the lane. Team A is awarded the ball for a designated spot throw-in out of bounds nearest to where the intentional personal foul occurred. The clock will remain at 3.9 seconds to go.

This play stresses the importance of confirming with the table the number of free throws to be attempted when bonus free throw thresholds are being approached.

(References: Rule 2-10-1a, 2-10-2, 2-10-5, 2-10-6)

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