For all levels of play, including varsity, the clock will continue to run until the end of the game if one team builds at least a 40 point lead in the second half. The only time the clock will stop will be between quarters, at time outs or when replacing an injured or disqualified player.
The running clock will continue even if the lead falls below 40 points.
Former Turner Superintendent Gordon Hahn, who is now the superintendent in Saco, said he proposed the rule for several reasons, including sportsmanship and time management.
"When I was in Turner, our girls' program was incredibly weak. We were just getting throttled week after week and unfortunately too many schools didn't have the sportsmanship or the mindset to not demoralize teams," he said.
The other reason was a game two years ago that lasted for 2 1/2 hours, including a 90 minute fourth quarter.
"When you're so lopsided like that and your girls get frustrated, they start to foul, they throw the ball out of bounds. It's back-and-forth to the free throw line. The clock is not running," he said.
Hahn said his original proposal was for a running clock as soon as the lead reached 40 points. It was amended to take effect in the second half at the request of some schools worried that some sub-varsity games might get over too quickly and leave too much time before the scheduled start of the next game.
The rule passed overwhelmingly, Hahn said.
The National Federation of State High School Associations approved a rule in 2003 to allow states to implement mercy rules in basketball. Hahn said he believes Montana's is one of only a handful.
"We're still kind of pioneering it in terms of the nation," Hahn said.
Two other high school sports in the state have mercy rules.
Class A, B and C football have a 35-point mercy rule, where the clock runs while the score differential is at least 35. Normal clock operation resumes if the score gets closer than 35 points.
In softball, games end after 4½ or five innings if a team is 10 or more runs behind and has completed its turn at bat. Junior varsity games can end after three innings if either team is leading by 15 runs.
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