Every other year, the IBCA is allowed to make proposals to the IHSAA regarding basketball. We are preparing the gathering of information necessary to proceed with this process for this year. It is very important that we have your participation. We will contact all Head Coaches later in the year with a survey; it is vital that we have your input.
We recently met with IHSAA assistant commissioner Sandra Walter and IHSAA assistant commissioner Brian Lewis. They informed us of some topics that pertain to basketball that Athletic Directors (via the IIAAA, or Indiana Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association) are discussing with the IHSAA.
When we send the survey, we will be asking your input on these topics. We will also be discussing this further at the IBCA in-person Mini Clinic on Oct. 16 at Lawrence North.
Topics discussed with the IHSAA leaders include:
- Mercy rule (the IHSAA tabled a proposal from the IIAAA on this topic at its May 2021 meeting).
- Shot clock (the NFHS announced in May 2021 that it voted to allow a state option on shot-clock usage beginning in the 2022-23 season).
- A possible change to the IHSAA state tournament format (five-class format being considered, modified from current four-class format).
- Limited Contact Rule (both number of weeks and how hours are used).
The IBCA’s last proposal to the IHSAA focused heavily on the Limited Contact Rule and the in-school, out-of-season time restraints. That proposal was tabled by the IHSAA, and we again will be asking them to address this issue. We also reiterated the issue that a number of coaches have brought to our attention in regard to the discrepancy in the in-school, out-of-season hours between boys and girls. They are very aware that we feel this is an issue.
As we enter into this process, please feel free to contact either of us with questions or suggestions.
We hope to see you in person on Oct. 16 at Lawrence North.
-- Marty Johnson, IBCA Associate Executive Director and
-- Tom Beach, IBCA Chief Operating Officer
