After covering the Class I girls tournament for years, one thing in particular baffles me. Why do coaches allow players to attempt so many 3-pointers?

In last night’s semifinal between Oyster River and Souhegan, there were an incredible 31 attempts from beyond the arc. Two found their way into the basket, or six percent.

The winning team from Durham attempted 12 3-pointers and didn’t make one. Souhegan threw up 19 and make just two.

The first year of the three-point shot in the late 1980s, a Nashua team that was unbeaten and nationally ranked took one 3-pointer all season, but still managed to be among the highest scoring teams in state history.

Maybe it’s the transition from the smaller high school court to college-sized floor that throws off shooters in tournament games. Southern New Hampshire actually has three 3-point lines to deal with, the old 19-foot line for high school and college women, the new men’s line a little further out, and the line used by the Manchester Millrats professional team.

Would the high school girls game be better without the 3-point shot? Maybe. But better shot selection is certainly needed and it’s up to coaches to make sure that happens.