2007-2008 Basketball Information

GENERAL INFORMATION:

1. Basketball is a state championship event in each classification for boys and girls, and schools are aligned on a regional basis.

2. All basketball games will be played by the basketball rules as published by the National Federation of State High School Associations.

3. The number of basketball games allowed (not including regional, sectional and state tournaments) is twenty-five (25) regular season games either in head-to-head competition or in invitational tournaments that have been approved by the GHSA.

4. The following limitations exist for basketball games played on a day and/or night before a school day:
   1. Only one (1) day and/or night preceding a school day per week may be used for playing basketball.
      EXCEPTION: region, sectional and state tournaments
   2. A student may dress or play on only one day and/or night preceding a school day per week.
   3. Sub-varsity teams may play on only one day preceding a school day per week, and the games must start no later than 6:00 p.m., for a two-game set.
   4. The first game of a regular-season varsity boys/girls doubleheader on a day and/or night preceding a school day must begin no later than 6:00 p.m.
      1. Warm-up time between the girls and boys games is set at fifteen (15) minutes.
      2. The host school will start the clock between games when the last players from the first game have left the floor.
   5. Invitational tournaments with games on a day and/or night preceding a school day must begin the next-to-last game no later than 6:00 p.m.

5. Sub-varsity teams are allowed to play two (2) full games at the same level in tournaments on a non-school day with at least a four hour interval between games.

6. MERCY RULE: In accordance with National Federation rule options, the second half of a game may be reduced to six (6) minute quarters, while using normal timing/scoring rules when:
   1. The point differential at halftime is forty (40) points or greater, and the coach of the trailing team wishes to have the “Mercy Rule” imposed.
   2. The point differential at the beginning of the fourth (4th) quarter is thirty (30) points or greater, the “Mercy Rule” will be invoked automatically.

7. All varsity basketball games shall be played with officially-dressed basketball officials who are registered under the GHSA plan for the registration of officials.
   1. The assignment of officials associations for regular-season games, invitational tournaments, and sub-region and region tournaments will be made by the GHSA office.
      1. The GHSA will assign one or more associations to each school for their games.
      2. The school and the local association(s) will sign a contract for the games that are assigned.
   2. The host school must provide some type of dressing facilities for officials at the game site which can be used to hold the pregame conference without interruptions.
   3. In accordance with By-Law 2.71-c, the host school has the responsibility for providing security escorts for officials at all regular season games and tournaments.

8. MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION:
   1. Cheerleaders at basketball games shall be restricted from the area at the end of the court during the time a game is in progress unless they are more than eight (8) feet from the boundary line of the court.
      1. This includes when cheerleaders are in an “L” shape with part of them on the sideline and part on the endline.
      2. The host school or tournament director is responsible for enforcing this rule.
   2. The throwing of souvenirs (such as small basketballs, t-shirts, etc.) into the stands is prohibited until after the final basketball game of the day.
   3. No artificial noise-makers (including megaphones) shall be allowed in the gym during basketball games.
   4. School bands shall not play while the game is in progress; the home school is responsible for enforcing this rule.
   5. The practice of cutting or removing nets, or hanging on the rim or backboard is prohibited at all GHSA games.
   6. For the pregame and 2nd half warmup period and during the time of team introductions, the teams can not run around or through the opposing team’s half of the court and the midcourt circle area is off limits to both teams. The penalty for violation of this rule will be a technical foul if the officials have taken jurisdiction of the game.
   7. All spectators must wear shirts during the games.
   8. The host school should provide dressing areas for visiting teams in close proximity to the playing floor. Game managers, in conjunction with game officials, may extend halftime intermission to 15 minutes if the dressing area is not in close proximity to the playing floor.

REGION TOURNAMENTS:

1. Each region will decide its method for determining the teams that will advance to the State Tournament.
   1. Four teams from each region will advance to the First Round of the State Tournament in all classifications (boys and girls), even when the region is sub-divided.
   2. No region may use a double elimination tournament.
   3. The tournament committee or tournament director shall secure the services of competent scorekeeper(s) and clock operator(s). NOTE: No team shall have the privilege of placing its scorekeeper and/or timekeeper at or near the position of the official scorekeeper and clock operator.

2. Officials associations for all sub-region and region tournaments will be assigned by the GHSA Office.
   1. It is recommended that the same number of officials be used in sub-region/region tournaments as used in the State Tournament.
   2. Issues for covering the tournament will be handled by the tournament director and the assigning officer of the selected officials association.

3. Subregion and/or region tournament dates and game times must be submitted to the GHSA office no later than January 15, 2008. If the sites are to be determined by region standings, that information shall be submitted to the GHSA office within 24 hours of the site determination.

   STATE TOURNAMENT (First Round, Sectionals and Finals):

   1. First round games (boys and girls) will be hosted by the first and second place finishers in each region. The third and fourth place finishers will travel. Second Round games will be hosted by the higher seeded teams remaining.
      1. For 2007-08, boys games will be played on Friday and girls games on Saturday in the First Round; boys games will be played on Tuesday and girls games on Wednesday in the Second Round. If the same school hosts both boys and girls games, approval for doubleheaders may be granted under the following conditions:
         1. the visiting school(s) must agree in writing to this format.
         2. First Round games must be played on Saturday; Second round games must be played on Tuesday.
         3. a revised financial arrangement will be in effect.
      2. Officials will be assigned by the GHSA office.
      3. The host team will provide the timer and scorer.
      4. FINANCES:
         1. Ticket prices will be $7.00 for single games and $10.00 for boy-girl doubleheaders.
         2. The host school will be allowed to deduct expenses up to $500.00 for single game or $700.00 for a doubleheader.
         3. The host school will deduct officials fees of $330.00 for a single game or $660.00 for a doubleheader.
         4. The visitor team will be paid $.60 per mile (one way).
         5. For a single game or a doubleheader involving two schools, the net proceeds are split equally between the two schools and the GHSA.
         6. For a doubleheader involving three schools, the net proceeds will be divided as follows: 20 percent to the GHSA; 20 percent to each visiting team and 40 percent to the host school.
      5. All other GHSA by-laws pertaining to the State Tournament apply to First Round games except where specified.
      6. Third Round games will be played at 10 centralized sites - two for each classification.

   2. Until eliminated from the tournament of its classification, each team will be entitled to free admission at the tournament site in which they participate:
      1. a maximum of twenty (20) players, managers, and other bench personnel
      2. a maximum of sixteen (16) cheerleaders
      3. Coaches will be admitted with a GHSA coaching pass
      4. The school will be charged by the GHSA office for additional personnel entering at the team gate.
      5. Floor passes will be given to the basketball coaches listed on the official roster and a maximum of six auxiliary personnel (managers, statisticians, and trainers).

   3. The bottom team in the bracket is HOME TEAM, and will wear light-colored jerseys. The top team in the bracket is the VISITING TEAM, and will wear dark-colored jerseys. EXCEPTION: In all First Round games, the host team will be designated as the home team and will wear light colored jerseys.

   4. Upon arriving at the tournament site, the head coach or a designee shall:
      1. submit a complete lineup to the official scorer
      2. verify with the opposing coach the color of jerseys being worn.

   5. Tournament sites will not be available to participating teams prior to the tournament. EXCEPTION: When the team of the host school is in the tournament.
      1. Teams playing in the first game of the day shall have access to the court no earlier than twenty (20) minutes before game time.
      2. Teams playing in the second and subsequent games of the day may have access to the court during the halftime of the preceding game until the teams in that game return to the court.
      3. There will be fifteen (15) minutes between tournament games for teams to warmup.

   6. Each team is responsible for providing its own basketballs for warm-ups, towels, training supplies, and half-time refreshments, unless notified differently by the GHSA office.

   7. Each school is responsible for the behavior of its coaches, players, and spectators at tournament games. Therefore, the behavior of these groups must be monitored by school administrators, especially (but not exclusively) in the following areas:
      1. No bands, artificial noise makers, banners or signs, radios or other music-producing devices are allowed.
      2. Throwing objects on the floor will not be tolerated.
      3. Cutting nets, hanging on rims, climbing on backboards is prohibited.
      4. Security personnel may ask that spectators refrain from standing the entire game if it blocks the view of other spectators who choose not to stand.
      5. Displays of unsportsmanlike conduct directed toward the opposing team or the officials will not be tolerated.

   8. Each school in the tournament is allowed to have one video camera filming only its games under the following conditions:
      1. A GHSA Video Agreement Form must be signed and submitted to the Tournament Director. Forms can be found in the “GHSA Forms Notebook.”
      2. The video personnel of the school must film from an area designated by the Tournament Director.
      3. The video of the tournament game(s) may not be shown at the school or in the community for admission, nor on cable television (see broadcast regulations below and in Broadcast section 2.80).

   9. Tournament Finances:
      1. All seats are general admission, and tickets will be full-price for each day of the tournament.
         1. Admission fee for the First Round is $7.00 per day for single games, $10.00 for boy-girl doubleheaders. Admission fee for all subsequenct rounds is $10.00 per day.
         2. Only GHSA passes, GAOA membership cards and valid press credentials, with a picture ID, will be honored for free admission.
      2. Radio broadcasts:
         1. See the fee schedule and broadcast regulations in Broadcast section 2.80.
         2. Contact Tournament Director of host site for setup procedure.
         3. Broadcast fees are payable to the tournament director at the site prior to the game; checks are to be made payable to the GHSA.
         4. Fees become a part of the total gate receipts of the tournament.
      3. Requests to telecast from a station not involved in a long-term contract with the GHSA must be negotiated with the GHSA office.
      4. From net receipts (after all expenses have been paid), the GHSA will receive 40% and 60% is divided among the participating schools.

   10. Tournament Officials
       1. Officials for State Tournament play will be selected using the following criteria:
          1. Nominations from the local association.
          2. Evaluation reports from regular season games.
          3. Nominations from members of the Evaluation Committee.
          4. Evaluations from previous State Tournament games.
       2. There will be three (3) officials on the court in all State Tournament games.
       3. Official scorekeepers for the State Tournament will be selected by the GHSA office from a list compiled from recommendations by Region Secretaries.