From the beginning until fall 1934 the game was played in three courts of equal size; two forwards, two guards in each end court, and a running/side center and jumping center in center court. The importance of tall and good jumper "Jumping Center" is obvious plus aggressive running/side center. Perhaps the greatest major change was made when the game went to two courts with three forwards and three guards in each court. This eliminated center jumping after every basket and started play with the referee throwing the ball to a girl in the center circle in what is known as the "center toss.")
In 1941 a major change in guarding rules. The change permitted a guard to secure or strike the ball from the opponent when the opponent was in the act of shooting. Previously a player was not permitted to tie up the ball or knock it from an opponent's grasp under any circumstances. These rule changes enacted in 1941 enabled the game to develop from near stationary playing (girls posed and shot) to one with more action and faster playing tempo. Later changes added to more action and faster game tempo; 3 second-limit to forwards in the free-throw lane (made pivot forward be mobile rather than only standing in the lane for pivot shots) - change in early 1950's. Also in the 1950's guards were permitted to secure or strike the ball when the opponent was in the act of passing or dribbling. The free-throw lane was widened to near double prior width in early/mid 1960's. Also increase 1-dribble limit to 2 dribbles near the same date.
Schools in the state tournament the most times through 1950 are: Seymour - 11; Wellsburg - 10; Centerville - 9; Waterville and Wiota - 8, Mallard - 7, Clutier, Coon Rapids, Hansell, Steamboat Rock - 6, Audubon, Numa, Ida Grove, Olin, West Bend - 5.
Sources: The Palimpsest, February 1950 issue (Insert: 2003)
Collins School: The girls basketball team was organized September 1916. Eight members were Lorene Anderson (1917), Leona Halterman (1917), and Mary Holmes (1917), Ada Westcott, Frances Denniston, Mildred Denniston, Mildred Bence (1920), Julia Tracy (1919). Other team members' names and coach's name not available. No information located on games played. This is the earliest information provided to us on Collins School basketball by a 1924 graduate whose father was a school board member 1920-1922 and 1928-1931. Same source indicated also had girls' teams 1917-18 and 1918-19. Apparently some games were played outside in early fall. The 1909 building, lower level had gymnasium area according to initial building plans. How this area was actually utilized during this time period is unknown.