Women's Basketball Scholarships in Iowa

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Pamela Grundy: High schools were choosing five on five because that's what the colleges had chosen to play. In rural Iowa, playing college ball didn't carry the same weight in part because they already had a prestigious sport. A lawsuit was filed arguing that six-on-six basketball violated the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution. The union allowed schools to choose whether they play five player or six player.

In the 20th century, Iowa high school girls basketball was HUGE but it was not the game we know today. In 6-on-6 basketball, the three forwards only play offense. And the three guards only play defense. No one is allowed to leave their assigned half of the court. 6-on-6 still uses the full length of a basketball court, but in a different way than 5-on-5. In 6-player, three forwards from one team and three guards from the opposing team play at one end of the court. Meanwhile their teammates wait at the half court line. This basketball variant made for high scores, quick action, and the girls who played it were local superstars.

Six-on-Six Basketball