Milton High’s basketball team wins amid controversy, making two foul shots with time expired
Milton coach David Boyd said the foul was called before the final buzzer sounded (AJC file)
Milton’s Julian Royal made two foul shots with no time remaining in a controversial 52-51 win over Norcross in Saturday’s Class AAAAA quarterfinals at West Georgia.
Only moments earlier, Norcross thought it had pulled off the upset and celebrated wildly after the sound of the final buzzer. However, as Norcross coach Jesse McMillan started walking toward the Milton bench to shake hands, the referees huddled on the side of the court.
“There was a scramble situation around the rim, maybe we fouled them or maybe we didn’t — that’s the ref’s call,” McMillan said. “The situation was that (one) referee called a foul as the horn sounded.
“(The other two) referees had waved the ballgame off, but the other one said he had a foul. He called a hold on us.”
The officiating crew eventually ruled that Royal had been fouled while fighting for a rebound before the buzzer had sounded. The referees cleared the court because time had expired, and awarded two free throws to Royal, who calmly made both with fans from both teams screaming as loud as they could.
Even Milton coach David Boyd admitted he had never experienced an ending like that one.
“No, time had not expired (before the foul was called),” Boyd insisted, “I was battling the whole way for the foul. I saw the official call the play while there was time on the clock. That’s what I saw.”
It was a bizarre turn of emotions for Norcross, which went from big smiles and high fives to tears and hanging heads. McMillan said he trusted that the referee blew his whistle before the final buzzer, but if there was a foul, then there should’ve been time on the clock.
Milton's Julian Royal was nothing but clutch, with the big guy sinking two foul shots with time expired (AJC file photo)
“I don’t think it should’ve been more than one second, but there should’ve been (something),” he said. “At least you give the kids a chance to throw it the length of the court to make a miracle shot.
“The explanation I got from the ref was ‘We don’t have replay, so there is no way to say how much time we should put on there.’ He explained it the best he could.”
Norcross forward E. Victor Nickerson made two free throws to give the Blue Devils a 51-50 lead with 10.2 seconds left. Milton rushed down the court, with Shannon Scott (committed to Ohio State) losing track of time and launching a 30-footer with about six seconds left. Milton’s Jordan Lloyd fought for the offense rebound and missed a short jumper, leading up to dramatic ending.
“I have never won a game with no time showing on the clock,” Boyd said. “I just told the team we’ll take advantage of (this game). We’re in the state semifinals … that’s about all you can say.”
What are your thoughts on the ending of this game? Please post below. Note: If anyone has video of the final seconds, please email me at mcarvell@ajc.com.
Note: Feel free to make your point, but inappropriate comments will NOT be tolerated.
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149 comments Add your comment
Eagle 1
March 7th, 2010
8:32 am
What a way to lose a game!!!
3 Straight
March 7th, 2010
8:32 am
Referees should not alter the outcome of a game. With only tenths of a second remaining the question should be, did the player have an obvious opportunity and time to score. If not then the referee should have reframed from calling a foul and possibly altering the outcome of such an important game.
I guess I am really disappointed in coach Bloyd. Since you were quoted in the AJC you saw time remaining on the clock then why didn’t you stand behind coach Mcmillian and ask the referees to place some time back on the clock?
I think the basketball world knows who was ahead at the end of the game and so does Milton. And Milton if you happen to win the state championship unfortately there will always be an asterisk beside your win.
Milton Fan
March 7th, 2010
8:43 am
Did you idiot Norcross fans not see the whole 4th quarter???? What would have been controversial is to NOT call the foul in the final seconds of the game; Not one, but two of our players were fouled while shooting. The game would have been decided by NOT calling a foul when Milton was clearly NOT able to get a decent shot off while being MAULED by Norcross. Shame on you all for blaming the officiating. I agree the refs could have been MUCH better, but I don’t hear you complaining about all the foul calls on MILTON in the 4th quarter that gave Norcross the lead to begin with. Lose with grace.
EverydayisSunday
March 7th, 2010
9:27 am
If you think the officiating is so bad just call the GHSA state office and they will help you sign up. There are never enough officials to go around in any sport, and obviously there are several people who would be great officials making comments on here. Put your body where your mouth is…
PermaT
March 7th, 2010
9:28 am
Irrespective of the horrible officiating all night, this crew at least got one call right last night. That was the last one.
Royal got fouled and the whistle blew before the buzzer sounded.
Norcross has benefited from numerous game changing calls over the years that have gone in their favor. This time, it didn’t. Man up and stop whining and moaning.
Norcross#1
March 7th, 2010
10:15 am
Norcross should have won this game, everyone in that gym knew it. catlawson is absolutely right, let the players play the game. It is extremely disapointing knowing that the ghsa refs will call what they want- not what they see. As far as im concerned, norcross is still number 1.
andy
March 7th, 2010
10:19 am
This is high school basketball there is no reason why a call (Especially a call like that which is so subjective) should ever determine a game. If they don’t even have the legitimacy and formality to put time on the clock then how do you make a call like that.
On a side note: The Norcross Fans where yelling at Milton’s head coach after the game and he completely lost his composure and started to yell at high school kids very persistently. Shows alot about his character.
cathy mcmillan
March 7th, 2010
10:25 am
The best coach on the floor in the Milton/Norcross game was the youngest coach on the floor. And the classiest act on the floor was the same. It is a shame to see a game come down to the actions of a referee, and yes, everyone in the gym knows Norcross got ripped. In SC, several years ago, a state championship game came down to a very controversial call at the end which prompted the SCHSL to institute video review of the last minute of a championship. Should GA consider this? Coach Mac took a group of kids who did not play much last year and COACHED them to many of those wins. Best wishes to all teams who advanced, especially the Norcross girls.
as I see It
March 7th, 2010
10:26 am
Dont worry Norcross Newton will kill Milton! Newton has been flying under
the radar
creh
March 7th, 2010
10:41 am
The Two Boyd Brother from Smyrna in the Final Four . Go Milton and GAC!!!
Blue devil mom
March 7th, 2010
10:50 am
Milton knows what it is. Norcross definitely won the game. I will admit Norcross didn’t play to the best of their ability but they still pulled through in the end and the ref snatched the game from them. DEAD WRONG. Milton is not going to the championship…THEY DON’T DESERVE IT!!!!
gahsfan
March 7th, 2010
10:56 am
the slow down play of Milton was unprofessional. here is a team with all of their so called top 25 all americans and they ran scared of Norcross the whole game.
I was nuetral but than began rooting for Norcross when Milton was playing teh stall game – holding the ball for a full minute at the end of each quarter.
Lamb had a layup at the end of hte 1st half that as others have said clearly left his hand before the buzzer – no doubt about it. Did the refs get together and discuss? NO. The Norcross Coach should have made a huge deal out of this one – sometimes you never know when a make up call might come and it might have come or not come on the last second foul.
Lamb had a steal and laid the ball in but the Ref again missed a good game and called the fould before the shot – should have been 2 points plus the free throw.
Milton plays boring basketball.
They are fortunate that Norcross and Wheeler are gone because those two teams are better than Milton.
Westlake and Central Gwinnett will have a great chance against Milton because their Coach does not let the talent loose – choosing instead to over coach adn try to be the star of the show.
Yelling at the Norcross Students is uncalled for – he should put himself in their shoes haveing just been “Royal”ly screwed by the Refs.
Matt
March 7th, 2010
11:08 am
Norcross should have won? What game were you watching. They only scored 21 points in the first half! Milton did a great job on defense and blocks a ton of Nocross’ shots. Norcross playing zone is a joke .. their coach should make them play man but he’s got no depth so he can’t. No college coach wants a kid who plays zone all the time. Only when the went man did they get back into the game. Also, thanks to the one ref who called six fouls in a row vs Milton to make the game close in the second half. Milton should have blown them out but they wanted to eat clock more than score off their press offense – SCORE against the press just don’t break it. The two calls at end were wrong. With Milton up by one, Norcross had the ball on the defensive rebound yet they call the over the back on Royal – thats BS. Nickerson gets two free throws – Nocross up by one. Lloyd fight for the offensive rebound and gets hammered (as Jesse was telling his guys to do) and no call the refs give Julian two shots for being pushed on the offensive rebounds. It was what it was and Julian hit the Free Throws under insane conditions. That’s life, someone wins, someone loses .. get over it.
Desmond
March 7th, 2010
11:31 am
These are some of the most delusional points of veiw that have ever been posted. Norcross lossssttttt the game. It was a foul. The whistle blew before the horn. The free throws were made. The results were posted in the official book.
What part of this are you people not able to comprehend?
Patrick
March 7th, 2010
11:49 am
How can you call a foul with no time left on the clock?
Sounds like the refs essentially decided the outcome of the came with a call like that.
Ant
March 7th, 2010
11:52 am
The layup before the end of the half should’ve counted, because the ref’s didn’t call the double dribble or the travel prior to….instead they just waived the whole thing off! There was clearly a foul at the end of the game, the ref blew the whistle, confered to validate the call, although I do agree there should’ve been a lil time added to the clock…….
Ant
March 7th, 2010
11:53 am
On top of that Norcross played terrible…..Milton wasn’t too much better…..With that being said Newton doesn’t stand a chance…..lol
creh
March 7th, 2010
12:11 pm
game isnt over until ref say it it and blow the whisle
hoops1000
March 7th, 2010
12:17 pm
The same ref that waved off the end of the 1st half basket was the same ref that called the foul after the buzzer. He is also the same ref that called a bogus technical foul against David Allen (Central Gwinnett Coach) in the next boy’s game.
Norcross played Milton exactly TWO possessions of zone. Both in the 1st half. Matt you are ignorant.
Norcross scored 21 points in the 1st half and Milton scored 28. The 3rd quarter score was 8-6 in favor of Milton. Sounds like there was defense played on both ends. Milton had the benefit of 6′8 Royal and 6′7 Nolte around the rim to help them score some high percentage shots. Norcross had 6′4 Malcolm McDonald and 6′6 E.Victor Nickerson (who was playing with a MCL sprain suffered in the Meadowcreek game). Norcross had to shoot more jumpers and unfortunately Lamb was off.
Both teams played a heck of a game. It is unfortunate that it ended like that on something that happened after the horn. TWO referees signaled game over while the one decided he wasn’t happy with what transpired.
Bottom line, Norcross was down as much as 12 at the start of the 4th. They played their hearts out enough to take the lead and KEEP the lead when the horn sounded. Norcross WON this game.
Boyd is the most juvenile coach in the state of Georgia and possibly the entire Southeast. We have witnessed his immature actions after EACH game since the end of the regular season. Whether it be taunting the Wheeler student section, flashing his old state championship rings, or cursing the Norcross student section, this MAN is NOT an appropriate example of who should be in charge of young adults.
Finally, as his quotes in this article read, he knows that he MUST insist that there was time on the clock. If not, it proves the game was over. Boyd knows that he lost this game. He couldn’t coach his team when the going got tough. Instead he had to let a ref decide it for him.
Norcross will be back waiting on Milton next year.
Horrible
March 7th, 2010
12:19 pm
That was the worst call in the history of basketball.
I was sitting by the University of Alabama coach, and he stated that the ref called the foul after the buzzer.
HORRIBLE CALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
marty johnson
March 7th, 2010
12:59 pm
i just dont understand how they could make a call with the time running down and julian wasnt even making an attempt at the basket…..we fought back and 1 very questionable ended our season
Juan from Milton
March 7th, 2010
1:26 pm
My name is Juan. I am blind. I hear of this game called basketball. It sounds like fun. I cannot see and I cannot count, but I would be a good referee. My father was a referee at a game last night. He thinks that I would be just as good as he is. GHSA please call.
Cinderella?
March 7th, 2010
1:43 pm
Central Gwinnett is having a hell of a run. And they have no transfers! All home grown talent. Just like Milton
REV "T"
March 7th, 2010
1:48 pm
Refs are human, not perfect and like all of us should be accountable for their actions. But since coaches can’t protest and fans can’t do more than talk without serious jail time, the refs are really above the law. How much longer must our great kids and coaches elevate their game, learn all they can, practice year long just be be subjected to below bar officials, according to the losing teams, numerous visiting refs and coaches from other states. Refs, you must step up your game, hone your skills or become a simple fan. I still believe in you but you must police yourself or one day you will be held accountable. Since you refs are a dirrect results of leadership, You heads guys and gals in charge of all these ref organizations had better look at yourself too. Maybe you are just too old, too use of the good old boy crap to really care. Step up your game or step aside. Fix the problems among your refs NOW prior to the next level of play. Any ref who has more than 6 commplaints should lose half their pay for the year. Something to think about.
GssiT
March 7th, 2010
2:13 pm
It’s inferred by the many comments that the same crew had worked an earlier game the same day. There in lies the problem. The semi-finals of any event deserve fresh officials. Oh, yes GHSA, the officials would jump at this. I hope this wasn’t the situation.
AllBlue
March 7th, 2010
2:21 pm
There may be some justice after all! I just heard that a conference call has been scheduled tonight to address the end of the game. Apparently, the tape is clear that time had expired before the foul, let alone the call.
The same person told me that there is a lot of pressure for a replay on Tuesday night that would be held at a neutral high school gym.
MHS FTW
March 7th, 2010
2:44 pm
who cares, GO EAGLES
MILTION FAN
March 7th, 2010
3:52 pm
not gunna lie BAD CALL ON THE REF …. IF IT WASNT A REPLY WHY U CALL FOUL DEN WEN U DNT KNW OF TIME WAS ON THE CLOCK ?
mike
March 7th, 2010
4:11 pm
can U ATLEAST PUT .02 SEC ON THE CLOCK IF U GUNNA MAKE A CALL AT THE END NOT KNWOIN HOW MUCH TIME LEFT PUT SUMTHINNNN ON THE CLOCK IF U DNT MAKE IT LOOK LIKE THE REFS DEF CHEATED SO IF U DNT KNW THE TIME HOW CAN U CALL A FOUL>>>>????? SUMTHIN NEEDS TO HAPPIN NO PAY FOR THE REFS AND IF U BEEN REFFIN ALLL DAY DNT REF A IMPORTANT GAME DATS ON THE LINE !!!!!
Chevi
March 7th, 2010
4:34 pm
I was there and I love my Blue Devils!!! The officiating was HORRIBLE for the entire game. Why so much hate towards Norcross? Our football team gets shafted by officials, our cheerleaders get shafted by judges and yes….this time our basketball team was SHAFTED too!!! Unbelievable! How could any grown man sleep at night after doing this to a group of hard working young men? Blue Devils keep your heads up. We played a terrible first half but we got the job done in the second half. An awesome game! You won no matter what the stupid official said. AND what was up with all the meetings at the scoretable all through the game?! The same nutritionally challenged ref was at the table SEVERAL times making “adjustments”. HORRIBLE…just HORRIBLE!
Doyle Hargreaves
March 7th, 2010
4:45 pm
So Chevi, What time do you guys tip off against Newton on the 11th?
Ron
March 7th, 2010
4:50 pm
I think it sounds like a crap call from the officials. You do not end a game like that.
Charles Davenport
March 7th, 2010
5:40 pm
Newton doesn’t stand a chance Ant, are you serious, you North Metro school boosters are amazingly arrogant and ignorant, do your homework on Newton before you count them out, let the majority of you tell it Newton shouldn’t be in the Final Four, but at least Newton didn’t need the help of the refs to make the Final Four they earned it and beat the teams they faced fair and square.
Norcross FAN
March 7th, 2010
5:41 pm
does anyone have any more infromation about this supposed conference call scheduled for tonight? if so PLEASE post! thanks!
miltonstudent_living in cobb
March 7th, 2010
5:44 pm
Norcross won and EVERYONE knows it I hope fox 5 gets a hold of the tapes and blasts it on the news. They advance and will probably win state, but they were GIVEN then game last night, they ALL know it.
It would be wonderful to play that game again and see the results over.
Shame on you ref.
I think I am goign to turn myself in to ghsa for living in cobb but attending Milton
norcross_fan#2
March 7th, 2010
5:50 pm
I havent heard anything, I am thinking its probably just a rumor
Milton Fan (the original)
March 7th, 2010
5:52 pm
Wow. a lot of sour grapes on here. Thanks Matt for setting it straight. The game should not have been close. Milton is clearly a superior team. That said, Norcross played valiantly and almost beat a better team. That’s the end of the story. On to the Arena.
Norcross should have won
March 7th, 2010
6:05 pm
this has nothing to do with being “soup grapes”. I havent heard anything about a conference of the game, but i hope they do. then maybe norcross will get the justice they deserve.
BDVLS
March 7th, 2010
6:08 pm
lets gooooooo blue! yall should have won, you deserved it. now THATS the end of the story.
Boyd's Mistress
March 7th, 2010
6:45 pm
How’d ya’ll enjoy the game, did my baaabaaay represent? Its been years since me and him and the closet have talked but I still love me some coach Boyd
milton#1
March 7th, 2010
6:53 pm
Thats the way milton. Everybody knows that Milton is the beter team. Everybody knows that in the brawl for the ball there had to be a foul. Milton won the game and Norcross loss get over it.
pembrook burrows III
March 7th, 2010
7:04 pm
Milton and Norcross both cheat/recruit with their boys/girls teams. I am glad Norcross lost and hope HEMBREE/BOYD lose next.
DYNASTY
March 7th, 2010
7:23 pm
Milton#1 shut up Milton is not better than us, you got a cheap call to win. You still have no rings so shut the hell up.
DYNASTY
March 7th, 2010
7:26 pm
pembrook Norcross has another recruit coming in from Alabama he is 6′8, and we have a 6′5 guard coming to
Coach P
March 7th, 2010
7:35 pm
I have heard about the call also. There is quite a bit of buzz right now. I also heard that a couple of law firms have been retained. I haven’t heard who hired them though.
Notcross
March 7th, 2010
7:58 pm
Alright Norcross athletic supporters time to pull up the big girl panties and start looking for players for next year.On second thought I’m sure Oliver Stone would be very interested in your conspiracy theories. You lost the first time you played Milton and you lost the second time too get used to it and over it!
Cry 'til You Die
March 7th, 2010
8:38 pm
Royal was hammered. Lloyd even moreso. Only one was called, and the free throws were made. Milton moves on.
You want time left on the clock, you say? Then when your little conference call/Congressional hearing convenes, demand that the foul against Lloyd be called.
The rest is just whinin’, cryin’, bitchin’, moanin’ and name-callin’: “We’re still better than Milton…..their coach is a bleep…..this happened earlier in the game….that happened later…..etc…..wah, wah, WAHHHHHHHH!!!!!”
Demonstrate a little dignity, Norcross. You too, Wheeler.
webelieve
March 7th, 2010
8:44 pm
Hey Notcross. You must feel proud with this way of “winning”. What a tradition to have started!! Wow! Double Wow! Teach your children well. Now you’re in the books with the other “winners” like Barry Bonds, Ben Johnson, Albert Belle, Mark Mcgwire, Tonya Harding and your beloved coach boy boyd. An asterisk after each one. At least we can sleep at night knowing the best team really won and it sure as hell wasn’t Milton.
g-dub
March 7th, 2010
8:45 pm
Let it go game over. If you blow them out it will take the refs out of the game. When you keep it close anything can happen. Congrats Milton
Notcross
March 7th, 2010
8:51 pm
webelieve pull up those panties and hope you sleep well Thursday night! What time you going to bed 8:30??? We’ll be busy then