5-second closely guarded in High School

[saherring]

Can someone tell me how the 5-second closely guarded count is administered in High School Basketball. I have talked with several officials in my area (mostly young officials)but they cannot seem to give me a straight answer. It has been 11 years since I officiated High School Basketball and I know how the rule was administered at that time but not now. Is a new count started when a player holding the ball starts a dribble and visa versa or is it all just one 5-second count combined. That is the answer that I got from several officials here (just one 5-second count combined) and I do not believe that is right.