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While playing with 4 is obviously a disadvantage, that doesn't resolve the legality question.
When a team has 5 players available they can either play short or they can't. Period.
If we used the logic of the advantage/disadvantage argument, it would not be illegal for players to simply stand OOB during the game or go sit in the front row during FTs. What advantage are they gaining by just being there off the court?
The NFHS has made it clear that they want the players on the court when they are supposed to be, not off it.
"THE INTENT AND PURPOSE OF THE RULES" on page 10 even states, "Basketball is played by two teams of five players each."
I believe that it is clear that a team may not play with four when it should have five. The only question is what is the penalty.
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