The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athlete Association has taken a stand against blowouts in high school basketball. At its first executive committee meeting of the 2025-26 school year, the NJSIAA addressed competitive inequities on the winter hardwoods.

The committee enacted a statewide 'mercy rule' that will be in effect beginning this season for girls and boys basketball. When a team had built a lead of 35 points or more at any point of the second half, a running clock will begin at that point.

Once the rule goes into effect during a game, the clock will stop for timeouts, technical fouls, injuries and any instance when an official determined the clock should stop. The rule remains in effect in the third and fourth quarters. If overtime is necessary, regular timing rules will be use

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