The play described below is provided for your review and discussion. The rulings given are based on NFHS rules. NCAA rulings may be different.
A-1 is fouled by B-1. The table says it is Team B’s 7th foul. A-1 makes both free throws.
Team B inbounds ball, brings it up the court and scores. After Team A has the ball for throw-in, the table sounds the horn and informs the officials that last foul on Team B was only their 6th team foul.
The officials cancel the free throws by A-1, count the goal by Team B and resume play from the point of interruption which is a throw-in by Team A with the right to move along the endline.
Were the officials correct?
The officials were NOT correct. The real question in this play is how long can the error be corrected? By rule, “…such error must be recognized by an official no later than during the first dead ball after the clock has properly started.”
Since the clock started on Team B’s throw-in after the 2nd free throw, both free throws could have been cancelled until the throw-in became live following the Team B’s score. Once the throw-in by Team A became live, it was too late to correct the error. The free throws stand. Play proceeds from the point of interruption. (References: Rule 2-10-2, 2-10-5)
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Another Very Good Correctable Error Situation. Really makes you think to get it correct. Thanks.