REPUBLISHED FROM RLS MEDIA

By: Richard L. Smith

SECAUCUS, NJ - A longtime New Jersey basketball official affiliated with the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials (IAABO) Board 33 is being credited with helping save the life of a Hudson County resident during a medical emergency over the weekend.

According to a statement released by the Secaucus Police Department, the incident occurred Sunday afternoon outside Huber Street Elementary School when a 77-year-old Secaucus man suddenly collapsed and was found unresponsive.

Authorities said the emergency unfolded around 3 p.m. when police received a 911 call reporting a man lying on the ground with no pulse directly in front of the school.

Responding to the scene, Secaucus Police Officer Emmanuel Mikros immediately began performing CPR in an effort to revive the victim.

At the same time, Melvin Chettum, a Secaucus resident who happened to be passing by, stopped to assist after witnessing the man collapse.

Officer Mikros deployed an automated external defibrillator (AED) and delivered one shock to the victim while he and Chettum continued lifesaving CPR.

Their efforts continued until emergency medical technicians from Hudson Regional Hospital arrived and took over treatment.

EMTs administered a second shock using the AED, and shortly afterward the man regained a pulse. 

He was transported to Hudson Regional Hospital where officials say he remained in stable condition as of Wednesday.

Police did not release what may have caused the man to lose consciousness or suffer the medical emergency.

Secaucus Police Chief Dennis Miller praised the quick actions of both the responding officer and the bystander who stepped in to help.

"This incident defines the true partnership between the Secaucus Police, the community and other Emergency Services," Miller said in the statement.

"I am extremely proud of Police Officer Mikros’ actions, which are reinforced by the training provided by our department. I also want to commend Melvin Chettum who was just passing by and stopped to help another resident in need."

Chettum, a longtime and well-respected basketball official from IAABO Board 33, is now being recognized by Board 33 President Dick Hecker and fellow officials and leadership within the organization.

NOTE FROM BILLY MARTIN, NJSIAA STATE BASKETBALL RULES INTERPRETER

NJSIAA Basketball Officials,

Please read the following memo regarding an updated interpretation from NFHS and IAABO:

Substitution Confusion (10.4.2B, IAABO Plays 16-10-4, 19-3-8)

The NFHS has approved a change to a long-standing interpretation for when a player who is on the bench should be on the court after a “lengthy” substitution process. 

Previously, when a team had only four players on the court, it was legal for a coach to direct a player (who was mistakenly in the bench area) to directly enter the court without penalty as long as the player did not gain an advantage.

Beginning this season, if a player in this situation enters the court directly, the TEAM will be charged with a TECHNICAL FOUL for failing to have all players return to the court at approximately the same time.

This change is accurately reflected in NFHS Case Book Play 10.4.2B on page 83 as well as in the IAABO Rules Guide Play 19-3-8 on pages 236-237.  This was also accurately reflected in the IAABO Game Simulator too.

Unfortunately, this play was also located in the IAABO Rules Guide at Play 16-10-4, and the ruling on this is incorrect. 
 
**IAABO Rule Guide, Page 214 Play 16-10–4
This play is slated to be deleted in next year’s IAABO Rules Guide.  Please DO NOT use this ruling on p 214 going forward. 

As always, reach out to your local chapter Rules Interpreter if you have any questions on this play or any others.

I hope this helps in your preparation for the year.

Yours in Officiating,
Billy Martin
NJSIAA State Basketball Rules Interpreter