Michigan testing 16 minute halves

[CoachP]

From MHSAA.com:

Michigan Varsity basketball teams are allowed two (2) contests during the regular season that are played in two 16 minute halves with one (1) additional 30 second time out.
Purpose: The MHSAA Basketball Committee has for several years discussed the potential for allowing Michigan teams the experience of games played in halves. The original NFHS request for 18 minute halves was denied.
Requirements: All games played in halves must be pre-approved by the MHSAA. Each school participating must complete an after game report.
Time out Allowance: Games played in halves
Three (3) 60 second time outs
Three (3) 30 second time outs
Normal overtime rules and timing will apply: 4 min overtime period, 1 additional 60 second time out

[SCalScoreKeeper]

I like this idea-wonder when CA will try it?

[WhistlesAndStripes]

This is something that has appeared on the post season surveys from the NFHS more than once. I'd love to see the High School game move to halves.

[scrounge]

Originally Posted by Whistles & Stripes

This is something that has appeared on the post season surveys from the NFHS more than once. I'd love to see the High School game move to halves.

I've never really understood why there are such strong opinions on this. I kinda like quarters, but never really thought it made much difference either way.

[mutantducky]

I like it. I would just want what Michigan wanted- the 18 minute halves. Or 17, add a couple of minutes to the game. It would still last about the same. Probably less so with fewer breaks.

[so cal lurker]

Originally Posted by mutantducky

I like it. I would just want what Michigan wanted- the 18 minute halves. Or 17, add a couple of minutes to the game. It would still last about the same. Probably less so with fewer breaks.

But there aren't fewer breaks -- they are giving each team an extra TO.

I can't believe you want to take away half the chances a kid has to make that buzzer beater they spend so much time practicing in the driveway!

[Rich]

Last I checked, my contracts were for 1 game....not for 32 minutes.

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by Rich

Last I checked, my contracts were for 1 game....not for 32 minutes.

Yet, the assumption is that 1 games is defined in some way. Would it be acceptable if they suddenly defined a game to be 4 30 minute quarters?

[SC Official]

Originally Posted by Rich

Last I checked, my contracts were for 1 game....not for 32 minutes.

You must have missed the sarcastic tone and the winky face at the end of my post.

[grunewar]

Originally Posted by SC Official

You must have missed the sarcastic tone and the winky face at the end of my post.

It's gotta be written in BLUE.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by SC Official

You must have missed the sarcastic tone and the winky face at the end of my post.

There are a lot who are serious about this, though. And I could see fees going up eventually. But I can't be bothered to care much. If I cared about amount of money, I'd probably be doing something else.

[Freddy]

Originally Posted by Rich

There are a lot who are serious about this, though.

Maybe like the coaches association of that state who originated the experimental effort.
And maybe the state who expects the schools involved to submit post-game reports on the experience.
Not, apparently, the officials who were never asked about it preliminarily and whose opinion after the fact isn't being sought.
Not that there's anything wrong with that. One fewer report to have to do.
Either way is ok with me. Don't perceive any difference in approach to officiating.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Freddy

Don't perceive any difference in approach to officiating.

Here in my little corner of Connecticut, public high school games are four, eight minute quarters, while private prep high schools have always played two, sixteen minute halves. Because my assignment commissioner knows that I like to work Saturdays, when most prep schools schedule games, I do more than my share of prep school games, so I feel competent to comment on the difference between officiating a game with quarters, and with halves.

I like the automatic break after an eight minute quarter. It gives me time to reflect on the first eight minutes, how the game is going, what I need to do differently, or better, and maybe to have a short meeting with my partner to discuss a few things.

Many prep school coaches like to save their timeouts for the second half, near the end of the game, so the first half of a prep school game is always an up, and down, affair; lead becomes trail, trail becomes lead; whistles for fouls, and violations; with no timeouts. The officials have to mentally, and physically, be "on" all the time. All of a sudden you look up at the scoreboard, to check the bonus situation, and note that there are only three minutes left in the first half, with no "time out" for a "mental break".

I prefer four quarters. Two halves wouldn't be a deal breaker for me, but I would still prefer four quarters.

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by Rich

There are a lot who are serious about this, though. And I could see fees going up eventually. But I can't be bothered to care much. If I cared about amount of money, I'd probably be doing something else.

I don't care much about this. But, at some point, the issue would matter. That point would vary from person to person depending on how much longer a game would be. At some point, it wouldn't be fair to ask officials to work for the same amount. In going to halves, there are two intermissions removed. Even if they add more timeouts, not all teams would take them, so, I'd guess the average game wouldn't really change much.

My biggest opposition (mild) is simply "Why"? There isn't a problem that needs fixing. I have not heard any arguments justifying the change aside from just changing. Don't fix what isn't broken.

[OKREF]

Originally Posted by Rich

There are a lot who are serious about this, though. And I could see fees going up eventually. But I can't be bothered to care much. If I cared about amount of money, I'd probably be doing something else.

Game fees would only need to go up if the halves were longer than 16 minutes.