Girls V 3 on 3

[Adam]

Originally Posted by rainmaker

ALL areas of the country did at one time. Different states switched at different times. THe last was Iowa, in 1988 or 1989. Only because girls complained that they weren't getting college scholarships.

Iowa was the last hold out. At least as far back as the 70's, larger schools were playing 5 on 5 basketball. When I graduated in 1992, the small school I went to was still playing "6 on 6" (we didn't refer to it as "3 on 3"). IIRC, they played 6 on 6 one more season, and starting with the 93/94 season all schools in Iowa played regular basketball.

Girls sports in Iowa are still run by a different governing body, and there are some slight rules variations (they move everyone up one space on free throws, and the possession arrow changes once the ball is handed to the thrower, for example), but far fewer variations than there used to be. Only girls coaches are allowed the coaching box; but I hear from Junker there's talk of eliminating that. There's been a move of late to merge the organizations' rule sets.

6 on 6 had some weird rules for those who are used to the "regular" variety of hoops. A player could only dribble two times (as in two bounces), more than that and it was an illegal dribble. A defender could not slap the ball when it was being held by the opponent; unless the offensive player was in her free throw lane. The downward motion of the start of the dribble (as opposed to the actual release of the ball) needed to be started prior to the pivot foot leaving the floor.

With only three offensive players for each team, scoring averages for those who did play were significantly higher.

And yes, one of the key reasons for the final decision was scholarships that were being lost out on.

[rainmaker]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Iowa was the last hold out. At least as far back as the 70's, larger schools were playing 5 on 5 basketball. When I graduated in 1992, the small school I went to was still playing "6 on 6" (we didn't refer to it as "3 on 3"). IIRC, they played 6 on 6 one more season, and starting with the 93/94 season all schools in Iowa played regular basketball.

I have a friend here who grew up in Iowa. Her sister played, and she said the last year of 6/6 was like 88 or 89. My friend's sister graduated in 90, so her experience was to do a little of both. At least, that's what Devony (my friend) said.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by rainmaker

I have a friend here who grew up in Iowa. Her sister played, and she said the last year of 6/6 was like 88 or 89. My friend's sister graduated in 90, so her experience was to do a little of both. At least, that's what Devony (my friend) said.

Some schools made the switch sooner than others.

I know for a fact that my high school played 6 on 6 through my senior season, and at the time there was no word of an impending change. My freshman year of college, they announced the change. The beautiful and gifted one assures me that her high school played 6 player ball her senior year of school, which was 1993.

The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union has a list of all tournament results since 1920. 1993 was the last year they had 6 player champions.

I was incorrect about the start of 5 player. The first 5 player state tournament for girls was the spring of 1985.

[rainmaker]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Some schools made the switch sooner than others.

I know for a fact that my high school played 6 on 6 through my senior season, and at the time there was no word of an impending change. My freshman year of college, they announced the change. The beautiful and gifted one assures me that her high school played 6 player ball her senior year of school, which was 1993.

The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union has a list of all tournament results since 1920. 1993 was the last year they had 6 player champions.

I was incorrect about the start of 5 player. The first 5 player state tournament for girls was the spring of 1985.

So they had some 5 player teams, and some 6 player teams?? Sheez, that's weird!

Well, whatever works, I guess. Very interesting

Also, I note that a lot of young women will be too young for Granny ball, even if they played 6-player in hs. too bad!

[Adam]

Originally Posted by rainmaker

So they had some 5 player teams, and some 6 player teams?? Sheez, that's weird!

Well, whatever works, I guess. Very interesting

Also, I note that a lot of young women will be too young for Granny ball, even if they played 6-player in hs. too bad!

Yup. From 1985 through 1993, the girls state tournament was divided only by 5 player and 6 player. No other class divisions. There was a 6 player state champion and a 5 player state champion. For the most part, the smaller schools hung on longer to the 6 player system.

Starting in 1994, since all were playing 5 at a time, they divided by classes similar to the boys' structure.