What is the duration of each period in a high school basketball game?

In high school basketball, each period, or quarter, lasts for eight minutes. This is standard across the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) basketball rules, ensuring that games maintain a consistent pace and structure within this time frame. The eight-minute quarters are designed to balance competitive play with the physical endurance of student-athletes, allowing them to perform at their best without excessive fatigue. The game consists of four quarters, which totals 32 minutes of regulation play, not including stoppages for fouls, timeouts, and other interruptions. Understanding this rule is crucial for players, coaches, and officials, as it influences game strategy, player management, and scheduling.