Johnie Logue
Sports Reporter
The Missouri State High School Athletic Association (MSHSAA) has issued a new rule change for the 2023-24 season concerning free throws. The new rule, in a nutshell, states "No one-and-one. Automatic 2 shots after 5 fouls each quarter".
Lincoln Cardinals Coach Tyler Burke commented, "No more 7 in a half. I think it’s interesting. There’s all kinds of different angles you can look at it to think it’s going to help or hurt certain teams. The normal game isn’t going to change all that much and when you look at how most kids are 60 percent free throw shooters, I don’t think scores are going to change that much. It will be interesting to see the way it gets officiated and how that affects the game."
Lincoln Lady Cards Coach Brett Bryant said, "I think it will help improve the flow of the game, especially for 'foul heavy' teams. Not carrying fouls over for each quarter can be very beneficial depending which side of the coin you are on. If you foul a lot, having a reset is nice. If you are a great free throw shooting team, you will see the benefits as well."
Cole Camp Bluebirds Coach Kevin Shearer said, "We'll have some defensive strategy adjustments since fouls are eliminated every quarter. Elimination of one-and-one helps us on offense. I have no real opinion yet. We'll have to wait and see."
It will change the "Hack-A- Shaq" strategy of fouling a poor free throw shooter in hopes they miss the first of the one-and-one.
The primary reason for the rule change would seem to be to speed up the game by not shooting a ton of free throws at the end of the contest.
As Coach Shearer said, "We can only wait and see what effects it will have on the game. "
