Updated 3-7-24

RELATED: Dear NJSIAA…Saying Your Sorry Is Not Enough

The following is the NJSIAA statement in full.

“The NJSIAA understands Manasquan’s frustration regarding the outcome of last night’s game. We never want a contest to end with controversy or confusion.

Here, all of the events happened within the final second of the game. One of the three officials counted the basket as beating the buzzer. The three officials then met at half court to confer. A second official saw the ball in the shooter’s hands when the buzzer sounded. The officials then waived off the basket. Later, after being shown video clips, the second official agreed the basket should have counted.

That being said, the rules are clear – once game officials leave the ‘visual confines of the playing court,’ the game is concluded and the score is official. So, while the officiating crews’ reports indicate that a post-game review of footage of the play in question convinced them that the basket should have counted, the results could not then and cannot now be changed.

Also, NJSIAA Program Regulations, Section 14 – which governs the use of video – states, ‘No video or audio recording may be used to review or challenge the decision of a sports official,’ In addition, NJSIAA Bylaws, Article VII Section 1 prohibit protests ‘based upon at officials judgment or misinterpretation, [misapplication] of the playing rules.’ The ruling on the court is, exclusively and by rule, what determines the game winner.

Unlike college or the pros, there is no instant replay review in High School basketball in New Jersey. These are the rules of the game that all schools agree to follow, and which have been upheld on appeal. We apologize to the Manasquan team for the error.’’

Shore Sports Network game story

The controversial end to Camden vs. Manasquan in the Group II final

Shore Sports Network You Tube Video

(3-6-24) A New Jersey boys basketball tournament game ended in chaos after an apparent buzzer beating shot was overturned by the three officials.

Various social media video clips and images of a controversial ‘buzzer beater‘ ending show Manasquan did appear to pull off a major upset of heavily favored Camden in the NJSIAA Group 2 Semifinals on Griffin Linstra’s put-back just before the buzzer.

The basket was initially declared good by the trail official but all three officials conferred and ruled Linstra did not get the shot off in time. They reversed the call and gave the victory to Camden.

New Jersey does not have a video review rule and the backboard on the floor did not have the red-line flash that goes off at the buzzer.

Manasquan coach Andrew Bilodeau told Shore Sports Network after the game–

“They reversed the call. The referee in the C position in the middle signaled ‘basket’s good,’ they huddled up and then 15 kids got screwed in front of 1,000 people. Print that. Print it five times. Those three guys huddled up and they screwed these kids in front of 1,000 people and that video will be on the internet for everyone to see.

These guys beat Camden’s ass in front of everyone in this gym and everyone on TV. (Camden is) a heck of a team — well-coached, tough, defensive-minded — but we outplayed them tonight and everybody saw it. God Bless you all.”

This situation back in the 1950’s and 1960’s would not have been questioned, but with technology available in 2024 it is clear that a major mistake was made.

Shore Sports Network reached out to NJSIAA executive director Colleen Maguire and to NJSIAA assistant Derryk Sellers, who was the NJSIAA representative on sight, declined to comment after the game. The difference in this game it is a state association tournament game which should give the NJSIAA the authority to at least review the situation.

Manasquan coach Andrew Bilodeau told the NY Post that a protest is being considered-

“It’s something that’s being discussed and looked into. I believe an appeal was denied [Tuesday night]. We’ll see what happens.”