Education commissioner upholds Camden’s controversial win over Manasquan in HS basketball semifinal

Manasquan attorney Gerald Clark said there would be no further litigation and ruled out taking the case to the New Jersey Supreme Court.

Naomi Yané

Mar 8, 2024, 7:51 PM

Updated 272 days ago

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In another upset for the Manasquan High School boys basketball team, the state Education commissioner has denied their petition to overturn their loss to Camden.
The team initially took their fight to the Ocean County Superior Court, which passed the buck to the Department of Education. The commissioner's decision said in part, "Upon careful consideration of this matter and granting every inference to Manasquan for purposes of this proceeding, the Commissioner is unable to grant the relief requested."
Many across the state tonight are feeling for the Manasquan Warriors.
"If I had the chance to go to the state championship game, and the ref missed that easy of a call...it was clearly a good basket…I'd feel for the players,” said one New Jersey resident.
The controversy from Tuesday's game has prompted proposed legislation from lawmakers. Assemblyman Sean Kean sponsored legislation to provide game clock review for high school championship games and to allow referees to consider video evidence in their review and some New Jerseyans already support this move.
"They don't have replay in high school - that's the rule - but I think they should for cases like this. They do it in college and pros, why not do it in high school?” asked one resident.
The Clark Law Firm has filed a pro bono emergent appeal on behalf of the Manasquan basketball team to stop the New Jersey Interscholastic Athletic Association from holding the boys varsity Group 2 state championship game Saturday between Camden High School and Arts High School. But that request was denied.
News 12 reached out to Manasquan’s coach for a response. He said his players are moving forward and will be throwing all their support behind the girls' team who will be playing in the championship game on Saturday.
Manasquan attorney Gerald Clark said there would be no further litigation and ruled out taking the case to the New Jersey Supreme Court.