WALL TOWNSHIP, NJ — Assemblyman Sean Kean is taking legislative action to introduce a bill that would enable game clock review in high-stakes high school sports games. This move comes in the wake of a controversial referee decision during the Group 2 Semifinal Boys Basketball game, where Camden narrowly defeated Manasquan with a score of 65-64.
The dispute centers around the game’s final moments when a basket by Manasquan’s Griffin Linstra was initially deemed valid, only to be overturned by officials, citing time expiration. This decision ultimately led to Camden’s victory. Subsequent video review showed that the basket should have been allowed, sparking significant uproar within the Manasquan High School community and beyond.
Kean’s proposed legislation aims to leverage modern technology to avoid such disputes, allowing for game clock decisions to be reviewed and potentially challenged. This bill would mandate that high schools hosting championship games have the necessary technology to facilitate game clock reviews.
Highlighting the importance of fairness and accuracy in sports, Kean points to the National Federation of High School Sports, which has permitted replay in basketball state championship series since 2009. His bill seeks to extend similar capabilities to more games, ensuring that coaches can challenge game clock decisions and that video evidence can be used to overturn incorrect calls.