How long is an overtime period in high school basketball?

In high school basketball, an overtime period lasts for 4 minutes. This is consistent with the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) rules, which specify that if a game is tied at the end of regulation, a 4-minute overtime is played to determine the winner. This overtime format allows both teams an opportunity to score and compete for victory, by providing a clear and defined time frame to resolve ties in a fair manner.

Options suggesting different durations, such as 3 minutes, 5 minutes, or 2 minutes, do not align with the established NFHS rule regarding overtime; therefore, they are not applicable in this context. The choice of 4 minutes is crucial as it maintains the traditional structure of high school games while ensuring that each team has a realistic opportunity to change the game outcome.