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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- The House has approved an amended measure allowing the High School League to continue overseeing middle and high school sports in South Carolina.

The House voted Tuesday to put in state law changes the league made to its own rules at its convention earlier this month. It appears the league saved itself from extinction after members heard lawmakers' warning.

The measure initially eliminated the independent, dues-paying organization and transferred its duties to the state Education Department, under an athletic commissioner appointed by the state superintendent.

League decisions that knocked defending state football champions Goose Creek out of the playoffs last November prompted bills to get rid of it.

Changes approved by the members that would become state law include a range of sanctions and an appeals board appointed by legislators.