The play described below is provided for your review and discussion. The rulings given are based on NFHS rules. NCAA rulings may be different.
The teams go to their respective locker rooms at halftime. At the end of the halftime Team B has not returned to gym.
Handle the situation.
By rule, ultimately it is the responsibility of the referee to see to it that both teams are notified at the three minute mark before the end of the halftime. This is usually accomplished by having table personnel or game management notify both teams (and also the officials if they are located where the horn cannot be heard).
If a team does not return, the first item for the referee is to determine if proper notice was given. If so, then 60 seconds should be placed on the clock and the clock should be started. If the missing team is not ready to play when the clock runs out, a technical foul should be ruled.
Under no circumstances should the ball be put into play when one team is not in the gym.
This technical foul does not constitute a team warning for delay and is not charged directly nor indirectly to the head coach.
(References: Rule 1-4-4, 10-2-1a)
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