[BillyMac]

Recently on the Forum we discussed if there was a NFHS rule that tells the reporting official not to allow the substitutes to enter before the head coach replaces the disqualified player.

Eventually we came up with this interpretation (below) confirming that the substitutes shall remain at the table until the disqualified player has been replaced.

2020-21 NFHS Basketball Rules Interpretations
Situation 10: A1 fouls out of the game. The Team A coach talks to a substitute and within 15 seconds sends the substitute to the table to report in the game. A Team B player then requests a time-out. Ruling: Since a time-out may not be granted until a disqualified player is replaced, the administering official should ask the substitute at the table if he/she is the replacement for A1. If so, the time-out may be granted. If not, the substitute shall remain at the table and the coach must still replace A1 within the specified timeframe before the time-out may be granted. (3-3-1, 5-8-3b, 10-6-2)

Now we have this (below) new NFHS 2024-25 Editorial Rule Change:

3-3-1-C-Note: When a player is disqualified or directed to leave the game, both teams my substitute up until it is time to put the ball in play.

Explanation: If any player has been directed to leave the game, an exception permits substitutes from both teams who have legally reported to the scorer to enter the game before the last free throw ... All substitutes meeting this exception may enter the game until the official has beckoned the required sub onto the floor. At that time, any additional substitutes reporting to the table must wait until the first of two or the second of three free throws to enter the game.

Does this 3-3-1-C-Note editorial change impact the 2020-21 Interpretation Situation 10 that states that substitutes shall remain at the table until the disqualified player has been replaced?

Or does the new editorial change simply tell us that these “early” reporting substitutes don’t have to wait until the "usual" time interval before the last free throw, but may come in “early” with the required substitute?