The Monmouth County Athletic League

The Monmouth County Athletic League Believes Sportsmanship is an Expectation.   So Please Let The Players Play, Let The Coaches Coach, Let The Officials Officiate, Let The Spectators Be Positive.  M.C.A.L. PRIDE 

GUIDELINE RULES FOR BASKETBALL 2023-2024

A. Participating Schools:
American Division                National Division
Antrim                                     Avon
Brielle                                     Bay Head
College Achieve                     Belmar  
Manasquan                            Bradley Beach
Sprin Lake Heights                 Deal
St. Catharine                          H.W. Mountz
​St. Dominic                            Lavallette
                                               Neptune City
                                               Sea Girt    

B. Eligibility - Participants must not have attained age 15 prior to September 1 of current school year. Any student who has completed his/her 8th grade studies will be prohibited from participation in the Monmouth County Athletic League. To participate in the M.C.A.L. a student must be a resident in the town in which they wish to play and/or attending member school. (See Eligibility/Alternatives under general guidelines)
 
C. Practice - Try-outs and practices may begin after your last regular season game or October 21, 2024.  ***NEW***

D. Rules - Standard rules of play will be utilized. Coaches and captains must be informed of any modifications or special provisions pertaining to the court. (i.e. baselines, back court, sidelines, etc.) Only leather basketballs can be used.  (See all-sports dress code - attached)

Uniforms- Each team should attempt to have legal numbers on the players jerseys. If a problem exists where uniforms are the same color, it will be the responsibility of the home team to change.

E. Time Limit - All games should start as close to 3:45 p.m. as possible.   LAVALLETTE HOME GAMES START AT 4:00 / ANTRIM AWAY GAMES START 3:45 OR 4:00 DEPENDING ON  BUSSING.

•         4 - six minute quarters
  
•         1 minute between quarters
•         5 minutes between halves
•         3 minute overtime - no ties
•         10 minute fifth quarter - running time with no foul shots (Played 1st) 
•         ***NEW***  NO FULL COURT PRESS IN THE 5TH QUARTER.
  
•         The visiting team should confirm the game by 1:00 p.m. on the day of the game.
  

F. 20 Point Rule - See attached guidelines on 20 point rule.

G. Officials - The home team will be assigned two qualified officials. Games can be canceled only with administrative approval. The league director should be notified of make-up date.

H. Scorers and Timekeeper - The home team will be responsible to provide one official scorekeeper and one time keeper. The Home Score book is the official book. Use adults when possible.

I. Plaques will only be presented to the first place team in the American and National Divisions.  A perpetual plaque (All sports plaque) with 16 spaces for smaller plates will be presented to a championship winner.  Each succeeding championship will get a plate to put on the perpetual plaque.
 In case of a tie duplicate plaques/plates for first place will be presented. 

J. Disqualification Procedure - All players ejected from a game will receive an automatic 1 game suspension, which will be served in the next game. A second ejection in a season will result in a 2 game suspension. A third ejection will be suspension for the remainder of the season . Coaches must report an ejection to their administrator within 24 hours of the incident. An incident report form must be filed with the league within 3 days. (See disqualification form for players and coaches)

K. Non-Interference Rule - Only authorized coaches and assistants may coach players during M.C.A.L. games. Spectators may not actively* coach from the sidelines for the purpose of enhancing the chances of their team to win a particular game or games.

Exceptions to this rule will be for substitute coaches in the event a coach is ill or out of town, so as not to cancel a game. This should be made clear and approved by both teams prior to the game.

The M.C.A.L. Code of Sportsmanship states in part "...let the players play, let the coaches coach and the officials officiate. Let the spectators be positive."

*Actively coaching is defined as continually attempting to coach an individual or team during a game. This rule is not trying to stop spectators from supporting their team, but to make the playing field level for both teams. The M.C.A.L. feels that the players, coaches and officials should be the only ones to decide the outcome of games.

If a coach feels that a violation of the above rule is taking place he should bring it to the attention of the opposing coach. That coach should talk to the person involved and ask them to stop. If after the individual or individuals are warned and the interference continues, the coach should place a protest with the official in charge of the game and the administrator in attendance. (If one is present) After reviewing information, talking to the official, coaches and administrators, the league director will make a binding decision on whether to accept the score as posted, or declare a forfeit.

All violations of the rule should be submitted to the league director for review. If there needs to be additional action, the league director will make an appropriate decision.

L. Code of Conduct / Players/Coaches/Spectators - In line with the Shore Conference of High Schools, The Monmouth County Athletic League has adopted the code of good sportsmanship for their players, coaches and spectators. Players, coaches and spectators that violate the spirit of the code of sportsmanship will be subject to suspension from attending/participating in future M.C.A.L. games. (See code of conduct under general guidelines)

M. Reporting Scores - All scores should be reported the next day by both teams. Call the league director at 848-258-2896 or email to donneice@comcast.net and leave score.

N. Rosters - NEW:  All sports will require rosters prior to the first game.  Failure to submit will cause forfeiture of any games played.  Include names
  and dates of birth.  Signed by Administrator or school secretary.

Assigner -  Paul Christopher will be the assigner for basketball. Call him at 732-610-5020 to cancel a game due to inclement weather. Also call or email  Don Neice, League Director.  Games can be canceled only with Administrative approval. The league director should be notified when you have a make-up date so that he may assign officials. Pay$66.00 (2), $74.00 (2+extra), $83.00 (1), $91.00  (1+extra).  DO NOT CALL THE ASSIGNER TO RESCHEDULE GAMES


RE: ELIGIBILITY / ALTERNATIVES

As you are aware, our league has an age limit of 15. No athlete who is 15 prior to September 1st is eligible to participate in M.C.A.L. activities. Also, any student who has completed his 8th grade studies will be prohibited from participation in the M.C.A.L. no matter his or her age.   In the past we have had 3 challenges to this age limit. All challenges were denied. N.J.S.I.A.A. does not govern non High School sports. We are exempt from their rules. As long as we have a clearly stated age limit we are on very stable legal grounds.

After discussions with Manasquan Athletic Director, Ron Kornegay (2008) we felt it was important to restate your alternatives for those students who will not be eligible due to age restriction. As stated in our General Information, Section V, Sub-section B:

Participants must not have attained age 15 prior to September 1 of the current school year. Students who are ineligible due to the age requirement should apply for a waiver by the N.J.S.I.A.A. for participation in high school athletics. (H:CL4 - Students in 6th, 7th, or 8th grades who will reach age nineteen (19) prior to September 1 while properly enrolled in a member school may request a waiver of the Bylaws, Article V, Section 4.1, Pre-High School Student, to have an opportunity to participate in interscholastic athletics for four (4) years prior to becoming ineligible.) (J:CL - In order to assure the opportunity for eight consecutive semesters of interscholastic eligibility, member schools may request waivers to permit classified students who are enrolled in 7th and 8th grades and who are otherwise academically eligible, to participate on the junior varsity and varsity teams.)

To prevent future challenges it would really help if you ascertain those students who are ineligible due to age and petition the appropriate High School to request a waiver to participate on the High school level. This will allow that athlete to have four years of high school participation. The High school age limit is 19, based on the same September 1st date. Also, 16 year olds are not allowed to participate in freshman sports. You should allow two months time, prior to the start of the season, to start the process.

Also, please make sure your coaches are fully aware that if an athlete is 15 prior to September 1st of the school year that they should not be allowed to try out for the team. It is important to check ages prior to the first practice.

RE: 20 POINT RULE GUIDELINES
CLARIFICATION:

​1.  This means that the team that is ahead by 20 points must start the substitution process. Some starting players must be substituted for. This does         not mean wholesale substitutions are always necessary.  If the team ahead is concerned with the other team catching up, keep “some” starters on        the floor, if necessary, to keep the comfortable 15 - 20 point lead.
2. When the score reaches 20 points neither team may full court press at any time.   **************NEW FOR 2024-2025 SEASON***************
3. When the score reaches 30 points no starters may be on the floor for the team that is  ahead, unless there are no other players to be used. 
4. This rule is in effect for all regular season games in the Monmouth County Athletic League.

The M.C.A.L. realizes that all coaches are trying to win games and are always worried about the other team catching up. You can follow the rule and still win games if you substitute smartly. Lets all remember the Aims and Objectives of the M.C.A.L. which include

• The development of good character.
  
• The instillation of good sportsmanship.
• To promote sound interschool relations.
• To develop skill and confidence in children through athletics.
• To develop a healthy social interest.
• To develop an understanding of the rules of play for the various games in which the children will participate.
  

ALL SPORTS DRESS CODE

• ATHLETIC TEAMS IN THE MONMOUTH COUNTY ATHLETIC LEAGUE WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO SPRAY THEIR HAIR IN SCHOOL COLORS OR TO PUT SPARKLES ON THEIR FACES. THIS IS NOT ALLOWED ON THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL. (HAIR THAT IS PERMANENTLY DYED IS PERMITTED
  
• THIS INCLUDES BOYS AND GIRLS SOCCER, BOYS AND GIRLS BASKETBALL, BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL. THIS RULE EXCLUDES CHEERLEADERS.
  
• NO TEMPORARY TATTOOS OF ANY KIND WILL BE PERMITTED ON ANY ATHLETE PARTICIPATING IN THE MONMOUTH COUNTY ATHLETIC LEAGUE.
  
• ANY PLAYER WHO DOES NOT ADHERE TO THE ABOVE RULE WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE UNTIL THE ABOVE ITEMS ARE REMOVED.
  

FORFEITS
ALL FORFEIT WINS MUST BE REPORTED TO THE LEAGUE OFFICE IN WRITING BY THE TEAM RECEIVING THE WIN. IF NOT SUBMITTED TO MY OFFICE IN WRITING THE GAME WILL BE CONSIDERED CANCELLED.

SIMPLY LIST THE NAMES OF THE SCHOOLS, BOYS OR GIRLS, DATE OF GAME AND SIGNED BY WINNING COACH OR ADMINISTRATOR.

THIS RULE IS IN EFFECT FOR ALL OUR REGULAR SEASON GAMES IN ALL SPORTS.

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT NO JEWERLY CAN BE WORN IN ANY
OF THE M.C.A.L. SPORTS.
THIS INCLUDES SOCCER, BASKETBALL, SOFTBALL AND BASEBALL.
THIS INCLUDES EARINGS.
THIS IS STANDARD FOR ALL MIDDLE SCHOOL SPORTS AND HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS.

GIRLS' BASKETBALL
Please Call In or Email Don Neice, M.C.A.L. Director, After Each Game - 848-258-2896 donneice@comcast.net