Coaches like to call for their teams to foul intentionally late in basketball games while trailing, but rarely is it called an intentional foul. The Warren County High School Lady Pioneers found out Friday some referees are far too literal.An intentional foul against the Lady Pioneers with 17 seconds to go against Sycamore ended a furious Warren County rally as three free throws in a six-second span pushed Sycamore to a 55-51 victory.Warren County (6-3) trailed by as many as 12 in the second half to the Lady Eagles, but it was a one-point game when Lady Pioneer junior Brittany Myers sank two free throws with 27 seconds to play.Coach Erick Baird asked his team to foul if it couldn't force a quick turnover after the inbounds pass and freshman Madison Mason obliged her coach by fouling once Sycamore crossed halfcourt.To the bewilderment of Baird – and the packed crowd of Lady Pioneer faithful at Woodbury Grammar School – a referee whistled Mason with an intentional foul. Sycamore got two free throws – both made – and the ball back as Warren County fouled again.
Controversial call costs Lady Pioneers