There is going to be a big change this year for the Bridgeport High School boys and girls basketball teams. And it is one some hoops purists may not like.

 

In fairness, the change is not just limited to Bridgeport. It is not limited to Harrison County Schools, Big 10 Schools, or even schools in West Virginia. The change that is in play this year is nationwide.

 

Starting in 2023-24, the long-standing tradition of the one and one, or one plus the bonus, free throw situation will be a thing of the past. It is the result of a proposal by the National Federation of the State High School Associations Basketball Rules Committee that was then approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

 

How will it work?

 

If you get fouled while shooting, it is still two shots. However, after five fouls, any common foul will be assessed as a two free throw penalty. After each quarter, the fouls will reset and you will need to hit five fouls before going to the new rule.

 

Bridgeport High School boys Coach Dave Marshall has been on the sidelines for decades at BHS and other schools – both boys and girls – and is one of the most senior coaches in the area and in the state. He knows he cannot change things to the way they were, but the old school coach in him would have liked to see things stay the same.

 

“We knew something like this was coming because in the summer leagues they were pretty much emulating it,” said Marshall. “A big part of me wishes it would have been left alone, but that’s beyond my control.”

 

What’s the reason for the change?

 

According to the NFHS, there are two key reasons. One is to improve the flow of the game. The other was to reduce injuries. They said their data showed more injuries occurred in rebounding situations and that it also could reduce the number of loose ball fouls with two free throws being awarded.

 

I am fairly certain that the NFHS did not make up the data to back the decision. I am also fairly certain I am going to miss the one and one situation for the same reason Marshall is going to miss it.

 

“There was no doubt about it that the bonus situation ramped up the pressure. With that, there was an added element of strategy to the game,” said Marshall, as often coaches tried to foul the player struggling from the line to foul. “You would find out who would step up and what kind of basketball personality they had for pressure situations. As a coach that is fun to watch when you see someone on your team step up in those situations.

 

“I’ve watched some premier free throw shooters step up and win games many times in those situations,” he continued. “I’ve also seen some kids come up short. It was just a standard part of the game that is no longer going to be part of the game.”

 

The pressure is certainly real. There have been many studies on the numbers relating to free throws in the final minutes of games. Not surprisingly, the percentages are lower. Anyone who has been to a basketball contest at any level has witnessed a clutch free throw shooter miss at the most critical juncture of a ball game.

 

Marshall said Miki Glenn and Erica Rome thrived under the pressure. He pointed to Nick Stalnaker and Anthony Spatafore as two he recalled immediately thriving for BHS along with Bo Drummond when he coached at Liberty.

 

Seeing players calmly drain the game winners at the stripe with pressure on their shoulders is what I will miss. That is what Marshall will miss. I am assuming others will too.

 

“I know they have their rationale for it, but I don’t see the complete rationale because I don’t know if the situation was broken and needing fixed,” said Marshall “I’m not saying it’s a bad thing. I am saying it is something we’ll adjust to. We have to, and everyone else will too. It will play out how it plays out.”

 

One thing Marshall and likely every other coach will have to adjust – practice. Most coaches work prior to a contest on who to foul in bonus situations if the need arises.

 

“That was something we already practiced for. We wanted to be ready on who to foul in a one-and-one situation,” Marshall said. “I can assure you we won’t be practicing that now.”

 

Marshall has been around long enough to know there are plenty of games won and lost each year due to the bonus situation. He said it does not always have to be late in the game either.

 

“You remember the ones where there was a miss with a minute or two on the clock and you end up losing by one or two points,” said Marshall. “You watch the film in a game you may have won or lost by a point or two and you may see that it was several bonus free throw misses in the first half that made it possible. This will definitely change the game.”

 

Other changes could come, too. Right now, West Virginia is among a shrinking number of states that does not have a shot clock. The NFHS does not mandate it, but many states do. That may be the topic for a future blog.

 

As for the present, the only thing changing is the bonus situation.

 

“I guess I’m old fashioned and like it the way it was and, honestly, I never really saw this change coming,” said Marshall, who said he expects the next change to be halves instead of quarters. “I’m not going to feel sorry about it, but I am going to miss the pressure element being taken away.”

 

Editor's Note: Top photo is a black and white photo of the BHS gym, while the second photo (by Joe LaRocca) shows Coach Dave Marshall cutting down the net after last year's regional win.