High school basketball

Basketball is a game that is played between two teams on a rectangular court and each team consists of five athletes. Both teams try to score by tossing the ball through the opponent defender’s hoop. By this way, High school basketball had arrived from basketball.

1. History:

James Naismith who was a Canadian professor of physical education and instructor at the International Young Men’s Christian Association training school in 1891. He wanted to keep his gym club active on a rainy day and that’s why he sought many things and got many ideas. Ultimately he invented a new game that would be played by teammates to score points by tossing the ball into a basket.

Basketball was mainly played with a soccer ball that was made from association football at that time. The first basketball was brown. In the late 1950s Tony Hilky sought for a ball that would be more visible to the players as well as the audience. Later, he brought an orange ball and the ball is commonly used now.

Dribbling that is very common but was not part of the original game without the bounce pass to teammates. Initially passing the ball was considered the only way to ball movement. Though dribbling was invented, the use of it was limited by the asymmetric shape of early balls.

The peach basket was very common at that time. This basket was used till 1906. Then it was replaced very soon by metal hoops with a backboard. But this metal hoops system did not last for a long time. Within a short time, it also was changed and this system was very attractive. 

In this system, if any player would get the ball in the basket, his team would be given a point. The team which would get the most points would win the game.

In 2006, Naismith’s granddaughter discovered his diary. He explained his nervousness about the new game that he invented. He thought that the game included rules from a children’s game called duck on a rock.

Frank Mahan who played the first original game.

He asked Naismith about his new game. Naimsmith replied that he was focusing on just to start the new game but not thinking about its future.

Then Mahan proposed to Naismith how it would be if we call the new game “Naismith ball”. He did not agree with this proposal and so he declined it instantly.

In 1892 the first official game was played in the YMCA gymnasium in Albany in New York. The game was played with nine players and ended the game at 1-0.

At that time soccer was popular. Each team consisted of 10 and later increased to 11. In the winter season, it would be very difficult to play soccer as the weather would be freezy. To keep the athletes active, players would play basketball with five players on every side.

2. High School Basketball:

Most American high schools were smaller than today’s counterparts before widespread school district incorporation. In the beginning of the 20th century, basketball became the best interscholastic game for its gentle equipment. The popularity of high school basketball was very good in the early stages. 

Franklin Wonder Five was the most legendary team in high school basketball. The team achieved its reputation by dominating indians basketball and also earned national recognition.

In this modern era, basketball is keeping its popularity in both urban and rural areas. Sometimes basketball represents its specific location as some basketball team names are named based on their location. 

The game is  popular not only in high school but also at the college level. Sometimes it is seen that some participants having graduation take part in the game willingly. 

According to the National Federation of State High School Association, 980673 boys and girls participated in interscholastic basketball competition in 2016-2017. Some states such as Illinois, Indiana , and Kentucky are especially well known for their devotion to high school basketball.

Currently no tournament is arranged to be national high school champion. The national interscholastic basketball tournament at the university of chicago from 1917 to 1930 was the effort and that event was organized by Amos Alonzo Stagg. 

Though the tournament started as a midwest affair, it grew well. Finally,  it had 29 state championships in 1929.Loyola University in which the national catholic interscholastic basketball tournament was held and continued from 1924 to 1941. 

According to statistics, the national catholic invitational basketball tournament from 1954 to 1978 played at different venues like catholic university, georgetown, and george mason. Then the national interscholastic basketball tournament for Black high school was held from 1929 to 1942 at Hampton institute. 

After that, the national interscholastic Basketball tournament was and it was continued from a long time for instance from 1941 to 1967. Finally the last tournament was held at Alabama State college from 1964 to 1967.

3. Playing Regulations:

Generally the game is played in four quarters and each of them is limited from 10-12 minutes. The game has variations such as college men’s games use 10-20 minutes, college women’s use 10 minutes in each quarter and most states of the United states of America follow 8 minutes per quarter.

Though there are some variations, it depends on states.FIBA,NBA and NCAA follow 15 minutes for a half time break. Overtime is fixed for just 5 minutes except for high school. Actually the game takes at least 2 hours to complete.

Each team can use highest five player on the court for once with unlimited substitutions. Substitutions can be used when the game is stopped. Each team has a coach who maintains everything for his team.

Both teams like women and men have specific uniforms to wear. Each player has to use a pair of shorts and a jersey with a visible number and team name. Besides, Players have to wear high top sneakers. The game is controlled by the official referee.

Ending Thoughts:

We hope that this article has fully fulfilled your query about high school basketball. If you have any more inquiry, please visit our website and get the latest ranking, news, schedules of  high school sports and so on.