A semifinal game in New Jersey’s state high school basketball tournament ended in controversy on Tuesday when an apparently clean buzzer-beater was waived off.
Manasquan and Camden were locked in a 45-45 tie with 5.8 seconds remaining. Camden’s Alijah Curry hit a free throw to give his team the lead, setting up a highly debatable finish.
Manasquan’s Rey Weinseimer received the inbounds pass and quickly dribbled the ball up the court. With three seconds remaining, he attempted a running jumper, which missed. His teammate, Griffin Linstra, secured the rebound and put it back for the apparent game-winner at the buzzer, triggering a wild reaction.
Only, the ruling was later overturned. The officials determined that Linstra’s shot was late and therefore, Camden won 46-45.
Wow. Griffin Linstra looked to have won it at the buzzer. Refs waive it off. Camden beats Manasquan 46-45 #njhoops pic.twitter.com/ZtWXlIpnAB
— Brandon Gould (@BrandonGouldHS) March 6, 2024
Given the background noise in the gym, it can be a little hard to determine when the final horn blew. But turning the volume up, it appears as though the buzzer did not sound until the putback shot was parallel with the backboard. Additionally, using a stopwatch from the time Weinseimer first touched the inbounds pass to when Lanstra released his shot, it appears as though only 5.4-5.5 seconds ticked off of the clock.
When dealing with tenths and even hundredths of seconds makes everything close, it does appear as though Manasquan was robbed here. And people were quick to offer their support toward the Warriors.
Controversy (to put it lightly) on the #NJHoops front https://t.co/bU53qdIXtZ
— Ryan Patti (@ryanwpatti) March 6, 2024
Another issue with a buzzer at end of the game. This time an even bigger mistake than our regular season game vs. Pburg. Manasquan losses a chance to go to a state 🏆 because no1 can check the thousands of phones, computers, and other devices in the gym. It’s 2024! Get it Right! https://t.co/1LD7NqSklU
— Coach Anthony Melesurgo🅱️🅱️ (@CoachMelesurgo) March 6, 2024
#GetItRight @NJSIAA @Matt_Manley @ShoreSportsNet @kminnicksports @BrandonGouldHS @JSZ_Sports @NJBCA_Official https://t.co/jv4IMI2V6X
— Barnegat Basketball (@BarnegatHoops) March 6, 2024
Squan got hosed by the refs. Crank the volume. You can hear it. https://t.co/g3nD4kuPsy
— Mark (@popdetectiverec) March 6, 2024
5.8 seconds remained on the clock in regulation as seen early in @BrandonGouldHS’s video below. While the clock is out of view in this video during the putback attempt, I unofficially timed the release at 5.5 seconds into the play (0.3 second remaining). https://t.co/TJdv2twDiK
— James Olivola (@MrOlivola) March 6, 2024
That’s AWFUL in a state semifinal. Manasquan got screwed. https://t.co/aZojQ5hoxw
— Josh Newman (@Joshua_Newman) March 6, 2024
Sorry, but that shot was good. https://t.co/JUqFPLVUqT
— Back Page Guy NYDN (@BackPageGuyNYDN) March 6, 2024
As frustrating as they are, bad calls do happen. And particularly given that there’s no review process in high school basketball, that is an inherent risk. The problem here is that this didn’t start as a bad call. It was initially ruled good — by the official who should have made the call. It was later overturned after arguments from the Camden sideline.
No, unfortunately. That’s it. Just brutal, brutal call. And how it played out with the officials calling it good, walking off, having Camden coaches grab the officials to protest, then OVERTURNING the call. Oof.
— Dan Torsiello (@CoachTorsiello) March 6, 2024
That’s my problem. There are procedures for these things that weren’t followe. Whether it’s opening night or a state final, it should play out the same. The official who initially signaled it good is the official who has that call on the rotation.
— Dan Torsiello (@CoachTorsiello) March 6, 2024
Getting a buzzer-beating waived off was already going to make Manasquan feel cheated. The process in which it happened makes it much worse.
[Brandon Gould on Twitter/X, Dan Torsiello on Twitter/X]
