Sudden Death

[bainsey]

Had a first for me: a game ending in sudden death.

GV, with 20-minute halves running time, stop time the last two minutes, college-sized court. A tie at the end of the second half results in sudden death (free throw or field goal). I check with both head coaches to make sure everyone is on the same page. The kid running the scoreboard asks me if we even need to put time on the clock. I tell him that I don't see the point.

I announce to the dozens of family friends in the stands, "sudden death, folks!" The response is positive. (I think they wanted to go home.) Blue (actually teal) wins the tap, but misses a 12-foot jumper. White gets the rebound, drives the left baseline, and hits a five footer for the win.

While I certainly don't encourage that rule in regular NFHS play, I have to admit it was fun, if not efficient.