Manasquan HS has appeal denied, considering legal action after unexplained overturned buzzer-beater
The morning after, it still doesn’t make sense to Andrew Bilodeau.
His Manasquan HS basketball team should be playing in the Group 2 finals Saturday at Rutgers instead of having an end of the season meeting on Wednesday.
The team filed a protest that was denied by the NJSIAA and the Manasquan school district is also considering taking legal action, according to the Asbury Park Press.
The organization said it “understands Manasquan’s frustration regarding the outcome,’’ but its bylaws do not allow for video review.
“One of the three officials counted the basket as beating the buzzer,” the NJSIAA statement read. “The three officials then met at half court to confer. A second official saw the ball in the shooter’s hands when the buzzer sounded. The officials then [waved] off the basket. Later, after being shown video clips, the second official agreed the basket should have counted.”
It all stems from a last-second shot by Griffin Lanstra, which gave Manasquan a one-point win over Camden, setting off pandemonium at Central Regional HS in Berkeley Township, NJ on Tuesday night.
But, as Bilodeau recalled by phone Wednesday morning, a representative of NJSIAA met with the three on-court officials and the call was reversed, giving Camden a 46-45 win and a trip to the championship game.
“I still don’t know what happened,’’ Bilodeau said. “I wish I could tell you. The basket was ruled good. It’s clear to see on the video. The place erupts. The official on site meets with the three officials. I don’t know what took place. They just said, ‘No basket, game over.’”
And just like that, Manasquan’s hopes of repeating as Group 2 champions were dashed.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,’’ Bilodeau said. “I’ve coached here 16 years and 30 years overall and nothing like that has ever happened.”
The NJSIAA’S decision could push the school to seek other restitution.
“I don’t know what can happen, that is why I turned it over to Michael Gross, our school board attorney,” said Manasquan Superintendent Dr. Frank Kasyan told the Asbury Park Press.
“I would like to see him get an injunction from the court to stop the games until our protest is heard, because a lot of time what happens is you’ll protest, it drags on and then it becomes a moot point. So the game is Saturday. This has to happen quickly and he’s on it.”
Camden’s game is noon on Saturday at Rutgers against Arts High School from Newark.
Thanks to video posted on social media, Bilodeau said he’s heard from plenty of other coaches and media outlets, but his main concern is for his team.
“Players were confused and heartbroken,’’ Bilodeau said. “It’s not something easily explained.”
What’s unclear is what led to the changed call.
“It’s not a mistake,’’ Bilodeau said. “It was a reversal of a decision. What the impetus was, I have no idea. It wasn’t an error in operation. It’s not like there was a cup of water that spilled onto the court. It was a judgment call that was made and then reversed.”
One theory posted online was that the game clock was started before the play began. Bilodeau was aware of that narrative and dismissed it.
“That’s not true,’’ Bilodeau said. “That’s the easiest excuse in the world. Watch the video.”
A year ago, Manasquan won the Group 2 title, although they didn’t have to go through Camden, since Camden had been disqualified from the tournament following a brawl in an earlier playoff game.
Rather than preparing for a title game, Bilodeau was getting ready for what he expected to be a tough meeting with his players on Wednesday.
“Absolutely, it’s gonna be really difficult,’’ Bilodeau said. “They’re teenage boys that are very emotional and we have to assuage that. We’ll try to get the focus back on what they accomplished.”
His team has seven seniors and Bilodeau said they can all grow from this experience.
“It’s all good,’’ he said. “This is what you learn from athletics. We’ll be back at it.”
And his sympathy didn’t just extend to his own players.
“I’m heartbroken for the Camden kids, too,’’ Bilodeau said. “It’s not their fault and I don’t want this to taint their season. I hope it disappears quickly.”
