Watch: Controversial ending to a New Jersey state playoff game
New Jersey high school basketball game ends in controversy.
The internet is rarely united on anything these days. But social media is almost universally united about an official’s call in a New Jersey high school playoff game.
Officials waved off what appeared to be the winning basket on Tuesday night in what would become Camden’s (Camden, New Jersey) 46-45 win over Manasquan (Manasquan, New Jersey).
Junior forward Griffin Linstra of Manasquan seems to have put back a shot before the final buzzer for what should have been a win for the Warriors.
In the last seconds of the game, Manasquan went the distance of the court with Linstra collecting a rebound off of a teammate’s missed jump shot. The forward’s shot left his fingertips before the buzzer signaled the end of the game.
Manasquan’s celebrations were short-lived. After a delay that included the officials huddling to discuss the call, the apparent game-winning shot was waved off.
Camden won, even as the video seems to indicate that the shot from Linstra was put up before the buzzer.
Controversy in NJ State Boys Semifinal
Camden’s Alijah Curry makes 2 FTs to give the Panthers a 46-45 lead. Manasquan’s Griffin Linstra appears to beat the buzzer for a Warriors win – but the officials WAVE OFF THE SHOT.
Camden moves on to the Group 2 state finals.… pic.twitter.com/ArYuE48tbM
— Jersey Sports Zone (@JSZ_Sports) March 6, 2024
With the win, Camden advances in the state playoffs. The school is perenially one of the top programs in New Jersey and is often nationally ranked.
The game was played at Central Regional High School in Bayville, New Jersey.
Fantastic video and context from Jersey Sports Zone.