Mariam Amin fights for possession of the ball.

The  middle schools in Dearborn, Michigan have changed their basketball rules once again. Prior to 2014, there used to be a separate 7th and 8th grade team. Now, it’s a mixture of 7th and 8th graders playing consecutively. The truth of the matter is, the 7th graders barely get to play.

Back in 2012, the rules implied 3 separate groups  on the team. The first was the “A” team, where all the high skilled 8th grade basketball players are in. The second group was, the “B” team, where all the remaining of the eighth graders get placed in. Lastly, the “C” team, where all 7th graders are placed in. This was a rule everyone enjoyed, and thought was fair. Until 2014, those rules changed, it’s now a mixture of 7th and 8th graders. Where the eighth graders points counts toward The City Champs.

Eve Taha

There are 5 quarters in each middle school basketball game. The first 4 quarters of the game is when all the 8th graders play, and last quarter is when all the remaining players of the team play. Their points don’t count toward The City Champs. “We should get to play more, unlike the 8th graders, they practically get to play the whole game, besides it’s not like our points even count.” Eve Taha quotes, a 7th grade Basketball Player at Unis Middle School. Eve believes that 7th grade basketball players don’t get the same privileges as the 8th grade basketball players.

There are 21 players on the Unis Middle School Girls Basketball Team, when in reality they only need 8. Most of the team disapprove of the new rules. However, Mariam Amin a very talented 8th Grade Basketball Player in Unis Middle school agrees with the new rules. “The fact that everyone has a chance to win, to make the playoffs is way better than a win/loss record.” The team might disagree with Mariam, but she believes that her point of view of this matter is truly accurate.

Douhaa Saab shoots for 2!

Douhaa Saab an 8th Grade Basketball Player at Unis Middle School disagrees strongly with the new rules, but at the same time she enjoys that she gets to play longer in the games. “I really encourage the change but, the 7th graders don’t get to have as much time as the 8th graders.” Douhaa believes that all sports throughout the District should be fair.

In conclusion, all 7th grade Basketball Players are thrilled that next year, they will be more active in the game than the previous year. The Basketball Rules might even change next year, but most importantly, you should have a good time!

Sarah Alhaidi

Unis Middle School Journalist