[oatmealqueen]

Originally posted by stan-MI
Here's some good news in Michigan high school basketball, from the MHSAA.com web site:

"The Council also took action on two basketball matters of note. In response to action by the National Federation of State High School Associations to allow a point-differential rule by state association adoption beginning in 2003-04, the Council reinstated the rule used successfully during the 1999-00, 2000-01 and 2001-02 school years on an experimental basis. The Council also voted to increase the number of officials used to work MHSAA postseason tournament games at the Regional level to three next year.

The point-differential rule for Michigan will be identical to what was used in 2001-02, and will be used at all levels of play. When a 40-point differential is reached at any time beginning in the second half, the clock will not stop with the following exceptions:
• Called time outs;
• Injuries;
• The end of a period, and;
• For the shooting of free throws in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter.

During the three-year experimental period, MHSAA member schools reported that the rule was used twice as often in girls play as in boys games. Schools also reported at a rate in excess of 80 percent that the rule was a positive one for the game.

Beginning next year, three-person officiating crews will be used at the Regional level of MHSAA postseason tournaments for boys and girls. Since the mid 1990’s, three-person crews have been working the Final level of the tournament."

These changes make me soooo happy. The mercy will be welcomed back, and since we use 3 whistle in 98% of my games, it will be great.