Jeffpea,
I agree with the "do as in Rome." It's just too bad that there are so many Romans who think they are Caeser.
Any time an interpreter in our state has tried to implement "their own ideas," it has been followed shortly thereafter by a bulletin from our state to all associations to do it according to the NFHS's way and ignore Caeser.
I agree that it's "lazy" to bounce the ball across the key on the endline in backcourt. However, to get outside the player and bounce the ball to them actually requires a few more steps and allows you to see the thrower (and the player defending them) plus some other players in backcourt. It's a better view than being closer to the thrower IMHO.
We always back up to get a good angle and
then bounce the ball to the thrower.
Z