Mercy, Mercy, Mercy

Institute the "Mercy Rule." The Mercy Rule for what. I thought the mercy rule existed for high school football. When a team gets up by 35 or more points, then the clock runs at a high school football game in Pennsylvania. Do it for high school basketball. Recently at a Seton LaSalle vs Brentwood High School Girl's Basketball Game, the Seton LaSalle Girls beat the Brentwood Girls 113 to 14. The score at halftime was 68 to 4. The WPIAL Board of Control members discussed the game after a recent meeting and perceived a lack of sportsmanship for the Seton LaSalle Girl's Coach. Let's not look for excuses, let's not put a blame on anyone, but all those involved need to find a SOLUTION. Set up a Mercy Rule in basketball. Once a team gets up by more than 40 points at any point during the game, then let the clock run except during a time out or the end of a quarter. Do not stop the running clock until the score drops below the 40 point differential. With only 8 minute quarters, a high school basketball game can go REAL FAST with a running clock. Whether it is basketball, football, swimming, or any high school sport, the sporting events in high school or any level are going to be competitive but there also needs to be a sense of sportsmanship involved.