Clark Law Firm Files Pro Bono Action on Behalf of the Manasquan Boys High School Varsity Basketball Team
View the Official Press Release Here >
March 6, 2024 – Clark Law Firm, PC, Belmar, New Jersey has been retained by the Manasquan Board of Education to file an Order to Show Cause on behalf of the Manasquan Boys Basketball Team in connection with the New Jersey State Group 2 semifinal championship game which took place on March 5, 2024 at Central Regional High School in Bayville, New Jersey. The legal action seeks to temporarily enjoin the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (“NJSIAA”) from conducting the Boy’s Varsity Group 2 State Championship Game currently scheduled to take place this Saturday, March 9, 2024 between Camden High School and Arts High School (Newark), until the New Jersey Superior Court, Chancery Division has a chance to pass on the issue.
The action asserts that on March 5, Manasquan High School played Camden High School in the semifinal game. Manasquan won the game on a buzzer beater, 47 to 46. The official with the clearest view properly called the shot good, the game concluded, and at least two of the three game officials left the court. Thereafter, the referees came back onto the court, with one referee apparently overturning the referee who got the call right. The basket was declared no good for time expiring and Camden High School was incorrectly declared the winner, 46-45.
The next day, on March 6, game officials and the NJSIAA released written statements that the original call was correct, expressing regret, but refusing to officially declare Manasquan High School the winner and clear them to move onto the championship game.
Attorney Gerald Clark, the Principal of the Clark Law Firm, commented, “Everyone recognizes and the video shows the original call was right. The correct call was made, the game was over and officials had left the court, only to return to overturn the correct call. The NJSIAA should follow its own rules under these circumstances and declare Manasquan the rightful winner.”
Clark further commented, “We have not seen anything to suggest any foul play nor ill will by anyone in this matter and it is important to recognize neither the coaches, players, nor fans on either side had anything to do with this incorrect call and referees make mistakes like everyone else. However, NJSIAA has the authority to make this right and it is our position they should follow their own rules and do so. They should forthwith declare Manasquan the official winner and clear them to play Arts High School in the championship game.”
The complete Order to Show Cause documents prepared by Clark Law Firm attorneys Gerald Clark, Mark Morris and Jake Antonaccio can be found here:
