Last night in our rec game, we were down by 5 with 33 seconds left. We pressed, got a steal and converted it into a layup with a foul. We make the free throw and now we're down by 2. Fast forward to the end. We've got the ball out of bounds just across halfcourt with 3.8 seconds to play. I call timeout, I draw up a play for our best shooter to come from the wing, off a screen towards the ball, catch on the move and get a ballscreen up top to free him up for a three to win the game.

We run it perfectly, he catches the pass, puts the ball on the floor for his first dribble and the buzzer sounds. Apparently the girl at the scorer's table started the clock when the ref handed the ball to our inbounder. At least that's what parents in the stands told me.

At this point, is the game really over? Is there anyway of having the time put back on the clock and resetting the situation? I didn't make too much of a fuss about it because the girl looked genuinely upset and ashamed. I didn't get the vibe that the refs were going to do anything about it either.

I think that in a high school game where there is an official scorer and time keeper, along with 3 refs that could be a reversible call. In a rec league game, unless the timekeeper calls the refs over and owns up to the mistake...I doubt that the refs would do anything.

Did you question the refs about the situation? Or did you just let it go?

The refs were off the court before I could figure out how 3.8 seconds happened so fast. And I knew I wouldn't get anywhere with them anyway.

The refs have not been top quality. They've been inconsistent all season. Early in the game one of our boys dove on a loose ball and they immediately called a travel. I just made a comment in a soft tone that it looked like he only fell on the ball and the ref replied "he slid on the floor with it" and I commented back to him about how the floor hasn't been swept in the gym all season and I guess I should come in and sweep it before our games. He took offense to it and gave me the "that's enough coach".

As touchy as he is, you are lucky that you didn't get a T !

A couple of weeks ago I saw somethiing that I never saw in all my years of coaching when they put in the cochiinh bxx. The coach was down towards the end of his bench and the ref Td him up. I would never be able to coach today... I was a roamer... half court to baseline. LOL

I don't yell at refs. I try to talk to them. But he's reffed every game for us this season and I guess he's tired of talking to me. All I ask for is consistency.

I'm a roamer too. Lately I've been trying to sit down more during our girls travel games and just let them play through the flow of the game a little, but I find it tough to stay in one spot. I guess I'm too fidgety!

I was way to intense I guess ... Varsity HS boys.....

I talked to a few coaches and they feel like I do, IT IS a reversible call...... re set the clock and take the ball out of bounds.

Yes, a reversible call. But good luck getting any support in a rec. game. They are usually played to get it over with as quick as possible. Sounds like the refs where in the parking lot before the buzzer sounded.