Question: Team A is shooting two free throws. After the first shot Team A gets the rebound, kicks it out to a teammate for a three and makes it.
Time runs off the clock.
Do we count the bucket even though the ref said we were shooting two or stop play reset the clock and shoot the next free throw?
We need more information here....
Specifically, what action occurred after A missed the first shot?
- What did the officials do?
- What did the other A players do?
- What did the B players do?
The ruling could be very simple or it could be (to those who don't know Rule 2-10) "convoluted" or nonsensical.
Officials called the 3 good. A Team players started down the court to transition into defense.
Most of B players were still on the line while one or two jumped out to contest the 3.
In the game the officials awarded team A the 3 points because time ran off the clock and said they couldn't take off points when time ran off the clock and then allowed Team A to shoot their 2nd free throw.
Ok... one more question....
How did the officials address the players on the free throw lane before the first free throw? Did they announce "two shots" or "one and one"?
Wow.... what a mess......
There is a Case Book play that addresses a play similar, but not exact....
2.10.1 SITUATION G: A1 has been awarded two free throws. Erroneously, the ball is allowed to remain in play after A1 misses on the first attempt. A2 rebounds the miss and tosses the ball through the basket. B1 secures the ball and inbounds it. Play continues until a foul is ruled on A2 as B is passing the ball in B’s frontcourt.
RULING: The goal by A2 counts, but the error of not awarding A1 a second free throw is no longer correctable. Since the ball remained in play on the missed free throw, the clock started and the ball became dead when the goal was scored. When the ball became live on the subsequent throw-in, the time period for correction had expired.
In the Case Book play, Team B fully participated in the action that took place after the first shot was unsuccessful. The rule provides that we can correct an error of not awarding a merited free throw if the error is discovered before the ball becomes live after the first dead ball that occurs after the error.
In your play it seems that only "one or two" B players reacted with the others remaining along the lane.
Based on what you submitted, I'm assuming that the officials realized their mistake after the 3point basket was successful. It seems that they also determined that B fully participated in the action after that first Free Throw.... If that's what happened.... they ruled correctly.
There is a Case Book play that addresses officials giving erroneous information that puts one team at a distinct disadvantage. This didn't happen here as the officials correctly announced two shots.
Errors such as these are rare and the solutions to the lay person don't seem "fair". However, the remedies are in place for a reason and we must follow them as officials. In even more rare circumstances some officials may choose to invoke Rule 2-3, which gives the Referee the ability to rule on situations that aren't specifically covered by the rules. Some may choose to do so in this play, some may not.
Hope that helps....