Was the small forward position in basketball once called the left forward?

I was talking to a 47-year-old man who said he played basketball in seventh grade in North Dakota. He said he played the small forward position, which back then was called the left forward position. He said he was not allowed to cross over onto the right side of the court and always had to be on the left side. I am not doubting he is telling the truth, but wondering if that was a real basketball rule or something made up by his league?