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A high school basketball game in the state of Kentucky ended in controversy after a late call was made on the game-tying shot. Despite sinking the basket to seemingly extend the game, the point was taken away.
The call came on a free throw attempt during a game between the Metcalfe County girls and Warren East. The latter trailed by two points with less than a second remaining in play.
The Lady Raiders had an opportunity to tie the score at the charity stripe thanks to a whistle on the floor. Lydia Jones buried back-to-back free throws. It should’ve forced overtime. An official ruled otherwise.
I had to go back & pull the @sportingtimes video. Per NFHS rules, it’s the correct call. Players outside the 3-point line cannot enter until the ball hits the rim. https://t.co/tPHy3lXcQU pic.twitter.com/Lsi3Pf85Nb
— Brent Thompson (@BrentJT13) March 4, 2025
Warren East was called for a lane violation on the second attempt. The call wiped out the final point. The Lady Raiders lost, 45-44.
Typically, those violations are called on players stepping into the paint too early under the basket. This offense, however, involved a player in the backcourt.
A Warren East guard was said to have stepped across the three-point line too early. It officially ended the comeback attempt.
Per NFHS rules, it was the correct call. Players outside the three-point line cannot enter until after the ball has touched the rim. That appeared to be the case. Head coach Jenny Neville disagreed.
“These ladies did everything in their power to win a ballgame, and honestly, I feel like we still should be playing. It’s a tough lesson when you’ve hit a free throw under pressure like that and to get a call at it gets taken away. It hurts.
“The official said somebody crossed the line. I believe he said Sam (Carver) crossed the three-point black line, which is not our line. Our line is the white line.”
-Jenny Neville
The official was adamant on the lane violation. His reaction to the offense was both immediate and emphatic. Whether or not the call should’ve been made in such a high-magnitude moment is debatable. The rules, however, are the rules.
Warren East’s high school basketball season ended in heartbreaking fashion. Metcalfe County advanced to the next round of the postseason.