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
webelieve
March 7th, 2010
9:09 pm
Notcross. Tried to put them on but they were too big. Must be the pair I got from your mama.
Real Norcross
March 7th, 2010
9:10 pm
Notcross do you house the Milton players or do they commute from Cobb on game days? PLEASE go sit down somehwere……
Real Norcross
March 7th, 2010
9:14 pm
Next year will play Milton, the refs, and Boyd IF he sticks around…..
we beleive that we will spank that …… next year IF you want some
northside
March 7th, 2010
9:23 pm
stay classy norcross….
WheelerFan #2
March 7th, 2010
9:54 pm
this is pretty ironic for the norcross fans, they got the no call back in 2007 playoffs at home vs wheeler, and now they get the call against them here in 2010…seems fitting to me
northside
March 7th, 2010
9:59 pm
I just think they should take the loss like a man. its all about luck sometimes. Wheeler, norcross,centenial all could be in milton’s postion if some things would of been different. you lost better luck next year….
bigben
March 7th, 2010
10:18 pm
No, it is not the same as 2007. In 2007 the players were allowed to dictate the outcome of the game.
Shooting free-throws with no time on the clock isn’t right. And that is a case of an official dictating who wins and loses the game.
REV "T"
March 7th, 2010
11:12 pm
Hey Refs, see what I mean. It’s never about you but the kids you wronged. Now they want each other’s blood and the beat goes on. All the other games were about the kids. Newton’s last second three as time expired, the kids. Other blowouts, the kids. Norcross the ref. I pray those guys are not refereeing the remainder of the state games. cause they won’t be met with cheers by anyone except Milton.
W/E
March 7th, 2010
11:57 pm
the refs did screw up by not calling Gani for the foul at the end of the Wheeler/ Norcross game in ‘07. No they didn’t dictate the outcome, but I’ve seen stabbings that were less brutal than what Gani did to JJ on his putback attempt. This is what we call karma. It can be a b****. Milton will get a dose of it too before boyd gets done there. That said, ghsa needs to make it a lot more difficult to become a ref. Too many calls are being made by refs who can’t keep up physically and are out of position.
Bigdog
March 8th, 2010
12:13 am
To allyou Norcross fans a’whining, stop it. About 3 yrs ago I watched a first round game of the state tourney where JJ Hickson had a point blank shot at the rim with rime running out, and he was absolutely mauled and no call
was made. Norcross goes on to win the state. Karma is a bear, ain’t it. QUIT YOUR WHINING.
GSUGA
March 8th, 2010
1:05 am
Get off GHSA’s case about where they are having tournaments. Try traveling like Bainbridge or Lowndes or other schools in the South, East, or West area. Quit whining about travel. Just go to the games…..Who wants to go to GA State or Kennesaw to play anything? Macon is the center of the state and the most fair travel site for all. Since there are 320 boys and girls teams that participate in the tournament now instead of 80 when only the region champion went to the state you have to spread out the tournament instead of having the girls all one week and the boys the next week as they use to do. Even then they were usually at Tech and Macon. Evidently it is all about the money.
Legend of Len Barker
March 8th, 2010
2:14 am
Evans had to travel to Bainbridge for a state tournament game this year.
The GHSA actually was pretty crazy on how the tournaments were set up initially. AAA boys were played at Alexander after it was built. Classes B and C got the Macon City Auditorium. All other classifications for girls got the short end of the stick.
For years, Class AAA girls was at R.E. Lee in Thomaston. The only reason I can figure is that R.E. Lee had a dedicated program and were coached by Jim Cavan. One year, though, the tourney was played at Valdosta High. Valdosta had a brick dinosaur of a gym at that time.
One year, the AA girls’ finals were held in Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald didn’t have a girls’ team at that time (segregated Monitor and Queensland did, though). Strange. This was also the first year that the GHSA experimented with allowing the top four finishers in a region tournament to go to state. That only applied to Class AA and only lasted one year. I’m still not quite sure how they arranged the brackets, though. We are quite the south Georgia school and played College Park in the first round and Hart County in the second.
As late as 1979, the GHSA didn’t mind shipping the girls off to a second rate spot. Not that the buildings were that bad, but the boys got bigger venues. In ‘79 AAA and AA girls were at Crisp County High in Cordele.
You decide
March 8th, 2010
5:42 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-izIVcIxQI
Mike
March 8th, 2010
7:26 am
it’s even worse after you see the replay. That being said you know the”foul” was called late. Two of the three refs called the game. They would have heard the whistle before the buzzer. If there is no whistle the game is over. That call is never made. That ref had an agenda.
3 Straight
March 8th, 2010
7:41 am
Come to http://norcrosshighbasketball.blogspot.com/ to see the video of the Norcross Milton controversy
ZONE 15
March 8th, 2010
8:17 am
you lost shut up and take it like a man norcross
Notcross
March 8th, 2010
8:31 am
Call Oliver Stone he’s looking for more fiction!!!
Mr. Skeptical
March 8th, 2010
9:10 am
Wow. Homegrown? Are you serious? I remember when Boyd brought in 7 new bodies with him and the parents of Milton kids who had been on varsity went ballistic. Keep those rose-colored glasses on, it will help you in life. Especially when Boyd’s antics start really taste bad.
northside
March 8th, 2010
9:31 am
too bad i live up here and everyone loves those kids, they are just like every other student who goes there. the whole town embraces the team the girls and the boys so you might want to actually get your info straight
coach boyd is the man
Bigdog
March 8th, 2010
9:42 am
Saw the replay and I must admit, Norcros got jobbed. But, again, this is NO different (and actually less egregious) than the ‘no call’ against Wheeler in 07. like I said, Karma….a BEOTCH! Suck it up gents.
Retired_Coach
March 8th, 2010
10:01 am
I would normally not respond to such an article, but being that I was in attendance on Saturday evening and I am retired basketball coach of more than 30 years in the profession, I thought I would give my views to all of this rhetoric. First of all, should Milton go on and win the State Championship, it will always be remembered for the event that happened at the end of the game against Norcross and that is probably unfair to them. Both teams played great defense and to the person that wrote, “Norcross played ZONE the entire game, perhaps you need to watch the game more. Norcross only played zone for about 3 minutes of the first half while two of their starters were in foul trouble. The rest of the game they played man to man defense. I sat across from their bench and saw the signs that their assistant coach held up for the players to see. As for the negative comments towards the coaches, what does someone’s personal life have to do with the outcome of a basketball game and how can you criticize either coach for the poor shooting by their players? None of the players that I witnessed were high level DI players ON THAT NIGHT. (I was impressed with #21 for Norcross. He gave up at least 5 inches of height inside and dominated Milton inside with quick moves to the basket and getting his hands on the ball more than anyone else. But, don’t think he is DI)Other than that, ON THAT NIGHT, everyone else was pretty much even. So you can’t point fingers at players or coaches for their effort and decisions. And now to blaming refs…as a coach, I had my fair share of disagreements with refs, but never to the point I cried someone cheated. I don’t think anyone was cheated here. I think the game ended ufairly however, Georgia needs to institute the replay or the automated whistle system that is used in other states. It would help in games being held at neutral sites. Afterall, isn’t that the idea of playing at a large neutral site such as a college (where they have this equipment available) to offer fairness. The Norcross coach seemed very much a gentleman in the end and so did his entire squad. The kid that knocked down the free throws had to make them whether there was time on the clock or not. And no it is not possible to be fouled with no time on the clock, so yes there should have been some time on the clock. In the end the score stands and Milton wins and Norcross loses, but to be honest, both teams lost on that night and both teams won. It was a great game by young men playing hard and the game will only be remembered for the final second or the lack of one.
Notcross
March 8th, 2010
10:06 am
Let me get this straight NORCROSS is complaining about transfers???? Really I mean REALLY It’s time to acknowledge that your basketball success left with Martin. Lets ask Hubbard shall we.
Speedygurl
March 8th, 2010
10:14 am
Norcross did not play a great game but the officiating was horrible – right off the start. I am a basketball fan that attended the game. Not rooting for either team. Milton played, but they too did not play a great game. It was just a good game.
Boyd…enjoy the ride while you can.
phil goddard
March 8th, 2010
10:34 am
Let me put this in words that even an official can understand. NO TIME LEFT, GAME OVER!!!!!!!!! You can not foul with no time on the clock!!!!
Truth4Westlake
March 8th, 2010
10:37 am
Someone from Central Gwinnet said that they and Milton win with homegrown talent. Thats just not true for Milton sake we all kno that. Westlake defiently isnt looking to far ahead of Central Gwinnet very talented team and we will have to play well to beat them. Everyone in the nation wants to see Westlake vs. Milton, North vs. South Fulton. Hopefully both teams will take care of business to see a nationally ranked game in my eyes. the #1 team in 5AAAAA (Westlake) vs #2 (Milton) should be an epic mathcup.
what?
March 8th, 2010
10:47 am
Notcross? Are you crazy? Norcross is 54-6 in the two years since Martin left.
WheelerFan #2
March 8th, 2010
10:59 am
just watched the video, and that is ridiculously close, i dont even think i could guess which was first, the whistle or the horn
WheelerFan #2
March 8th, 2010
11:00 am
looks like the whistle blew a hair after the red lights came on on the clock above the basket, but who knows for sure, if the ref saw a foul he called, and theres really no way around that
Notcross
March 8th, 2010
11:12 am
also don’t know what the other posters who state as a fact 2 officials called game over were looking at! no official called game over they both went to the ref with the call the right move by the way
Mike
March 8th, 2010
11:16 am
Notcross, learn something about basketball. It would help you. If the whistle is after the horn the game is over. That is all you can go by. the other referees called the game because no whistle was blown.
Notcross
March 8th, 2010
11:35 am
Mikie, Mikie Mike where did you go to ref school???
1. The foul occurred during regulation
2. ref in position saw the foul and CALLED IT
doesn’t really matter when the whistle blew and the game ends when the refs say the game ends not at the horn exactly what the refs said happened happened
“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.”
WheelerFan #2
March 8th, 2010
12:02 pm
i agree somewhat with notcross, i think there was a foul, but also there should have been some amount of time added, thats the only argument norcross fans can make, not that a foul was called but that there was no time added back…whether it was .5 seconds or what, some amount shoulda been added, but the foul call itself is not the bad call
gakat1
March 8th, 2010
12:15 pm
Let’s face it, after seeing the video about 10 times, the official (rather thief) that made that call should never ever be allowed to call a game again in the state of Georgia. No other solution, fire him. The GHSA has no gonads.
And yes I was there and live an hour south of Atlanta. Impartial, just that officials need to pay the price for incompetence.
Notcross
March 8th, 2010
12:15 pm
In all fairness I would agree some time might be put back but what difference would it have really made with less than .4 you cannot catch the ball and as soon as anyone touches the ball game over
but thinking about it putting time on the clock it would have made the freethrows easier with players lined up along the lane
You be the referee and make the call in the controversial ending to the Milton-Norcross playoff game | Prep Zone: AJC High School Sports
March 8th, 2010
12:17 pm
[...] Also, to get a full recap of the story, please click on this link for the article. [...]
Mike
March 8th, 2010
12:31 pm
Notcross, I would agree if they made the call on the shot prior to the “foul” no one would argue. The call the ref made is never called in that situation.
Notcross
March 8th, 2010
12:35 pm
“The call the ref made is never called in that situation.”
guess you cant say that anymore
Milton fan
March 8th, 2010
12:39 pm
The ilton kids are all good kids. good students (Northwestern and Duke is recruiting the 3 that aren’t already committed – you have to be good AND a good student to be considered for both of those). They are respectful on and off the court. I am sure the Norcross kids are nice also from what I saw of them play this game. They were serious-minded and conducted themselves with class. So, leave the kids out of this. And the call: Maybe it shoildn’t have been made with only a second left (it was a foul), but the foul on Lloyd SHOULD have been called. Norcross was very lucky to even be in this game. They played a very tough and gritty defensive game (zones are legal) and Milton still, by sheer talent keot them compfotably ar =t bay from the end of Q1 until 3 or 4 mins left in the game when Norcross had to intentionally foul on every Milton possession to have a chance.. If Milton could make free throws from late game intentional fouls every time they are 10 pts up with 2 mins to play, they would have easily iced this one away. So, Norcross, you weren’t robbed, you were outplayed almost the entire game – despite a very good defensive effort – by a very talented team. It happens some years. You were not entitled to this victory, so do not feel victimized. I will say again, the Norcross coach and players appear very classy. As are Miltons kids.
Mike
March 8th, 2010
12:40 pm
incompetent ref. really pathetic. if you play basketball you know it was BS
Don'tTypicallyPost
March 8th, 2010
12:51 pm
I don’t typically post, because I think the comments quickly degrade to name calling and mud slinging more than discussion, BUT since the season is over…here we go…
Addressing a few points:
1) Norcross recruits – Are the people who say that parents? Probably not. Norcross not only wins, but also competes at a high level, travels nationally and is on the radar of just about every college coach in any division. What parent wouldn’t want their kid in that environment? What parent wouldn’t give their child every chance to succeed? I am pretty sure any transfer to Norcross came, because they were seeking the best opportunity…not because a Norcross coach asked them.
ALSO, what master recruiting plan was it of Coach Macs to have NO true big men and a point guard with ONE functioning ear? Coach Mac coaches and develops talent and does it well.
2) Reffing – Everybody likes to complain about refs whether they are deserving of it or not, so it feels a little like crying wolf when it truly happens. The past couple years the refs have been horrific for Gwinnett County. I watch enough games to personally make this generalization and feel confident doing so. I do not know the training and selection process for referees, but it HAS to be looked into, especially for a county with some of the state’s BEST talent. A great referee is one that no one notices, that doesn’t impact the outcome of the game and keeps it moving safely.
3) The Norcross-Milton game – Someone posted earlier that, because Milton beat Norcross earlier this year, there should be no question that Milton won last weekend. With that theory in mind, Norcross didn’t beat Peachtree Ridge the second and third time they played them? Ah, but they did!
The entire game was called poorly. The push in Jeremy’s back could have been a tech. The lay-up at the end of the half should have counted. There should have been time left on the clock with the last foul. Watch the tape – Royal was not fouled. If there was a foul, it was the first rebound, which would mean a different free throw shooter, who may have not made them and time on the clock. No, Norcross did not play well in the first and third quarters, and one of their starters fouled out, BUT they still fought back, never gave up and deserved to win that game. Norcross should be heading to this week’s final four.
Notcross
March 8th, 2010
12:53 pm
I agree grabbing another player from behind because you just stood there and didn’t box out s BS and has to be called no matter how much time is on the clock
Take a good look he’s not even going for the ball
Milton fan
March 8th, 2010
2:53 pm
BTW, did you SEE Dai Jon’s breakaway, contested dunk!!!! wow.
No dog in this hunt
March 8th, 2010
4:23 pm
I am not even sure which team was which but the team in the dark color fouled the shooter before the rebound action even happened. So it looks like the comments about the bad refs may be valid.
The GHSA takes questions about the controversial ending to state playoff game (UPDATED) | Prep Zone: AJC High School Sports
March 8th, 2010
4:51 pm
[...] Believe it or not? Milton defeats Norcross with time expired. Click here. [...]
transfer_parent
March 9th, 2010
1:13 pm
DontTypicallyPost – you have made the most sense thus far.
Notcross–please really you have NO idea what you are talking about, BUT we will all be there cheering on watching ya’ll win state GOOD LUCK! see ya next year!
Asterisks
March 12th, 2010
1:16 pm
The bottom line is Norcross proved to be better than Milton and therefore should have won. The fact that Milton actually didn’t win this game and the fact that they advanced isn’t based on how well they played but based on how bad the officiating was.
miller
March 13th, 2010
6:51 pm
Hey Norcross should have won. but we already have 3 championship rings anyway. And our girls won state this year anyway.
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