By JOHN STEGEMAN

Interim Sports Editor

A new rule that took effect on a small scale last season has allowed over 260 Ohio high schools to substitute one of their scrimmages for essentially an extra regular season game. The game may not count in the standings, but it counts for the community.

The OHSAA Foundation website explains the rule.

"If member schools elect to participate, they are permitted to use one of their five allotted basketball scrimmages to play a regulation game under all normal game conditions. Foundation Games do not count against a team's record," the website reads.

Several area teams are taking advantage of the opportunity, using gate proceeds to benefit their schools scholarships funds.

While the games are of interest for that reason alone, they also give the public the chance to see at least one high profile match up.

South Webster and New Boston play tonight at South Webster with girls playing at 6 p.m. and the boys playing 20 minutes after the end of that game.

The girls contest is a rematch of last season's district final where the SOC II champion Lady Jeeps eliminated the SOC I champion New Boston.

"(South Webster) and New Boston have a good rivalry," Jeeps athletic director Brett Daniels said. "We just hope it will draw a good crowd.

"The unique thing about this is, its a way to raise money and to give back to the kids for college educational purposes," he added.

To play a Foundation Game teams must pay a fee to OHSAA and can donate the proceeds to a charity or the school's scholarship funds.

Other area Foundation Games include: Wheelersburg at Clay tonight (girls only), Green at Northwest on Tuesday, Waverly at Southeastern on Tuesday, Minford at Ironton (boys only) on Dec. 1, East at Wheelersburg on Dec. 2 and Symmes Valley at Chesepeake (boys only) on Dec. 2.

For more information on The OHSAA Foundation, go to www.ohsaa.org.

JOHN STEGEMAN can be reached at jstegeman02@hotmail.com