The shot clock proved to be the biggest factor in one of the biggest basketball matches of the season.
The outcome of Tuesday night’s crucial clash between Pinelands and Warrens Sports Club at the YMCA is now in the hands of the Barbados Amateur Basketball Association’s (BABA) technical committee after Pinelands lodged a protest following their 93-92 defeat.
In a wild sequence of events in the game’s dying seconds, Pinelands’ Corey McDonald’s potential game-winning layup in overtime was disallowed after the shot clock failed to restart with two seconds remaining.
Referees ruled that despite the fact that the shot clock had not moved, the time it took for McDonald to get off his shot was more than the two seconds required to do so.
The controversy had started moments earlier with Warrens in possession of the ball and 29 seconds left in the game.
Their eventual shot, although not touching the ring, ended in Pinelands’ possession, but instead of allowing the game to play, the referees blew their whistle after the shot clock inadvertently went off.
It resulted in a heated debate, with Pinelands arguing that the referees had stopped play, while Warrens insisted that time had expired.
Two seconds were eventually added to the clock, and in Pinelands’ ensuing inbounds pass, Jeremy Gill’s shot was initially blocked, but he managed to tip the ball to McDonald who thought he had won it all with his layup.
Despite the clock not moving, referees awarded the game to Warrens.
Warrens knew the importance of this game, with Pearson Griffith, Kevin Austin and Zahir Motara, all members of last year’s championship side, returning for the first time this season.
A loss would put Warrens on the brink of demotion, while a victory would virtually relegate Clapham Bulls to the Intermediate division next season.
In the night’s second game, Lumber Company Lakers avenged their first round loss to Warriors with a 67-59 victory. (RB)
