High school basketball is huge just about anywhere you go, especially in Kentucky; however, with many states beginning to implement a shot clock, is it time for a change here? Yes, it is.
As of right now, 21 states currently have a 35-second shot clock included in all boys and girls varsity basketball. There are three states in trial runs, and another, Illinois, has already decided to implement a shot clock during the 2026-27 season.
In May of 2023, the Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) held a meeting with a survey to either vote for or against implementing a shot clock.
The vote was 137-100 against for boys basketball and 141-91 against for girls basketball. These schools have made a mistake. Kentucky needs a shot clock.
During the 2022-23 season, the GRC boys basketball team faced off with Warren Central in the state championship. Warren Central was up in the 4th quarter, and went on to hold the ball for several minutes, preventing the Cards from having a sufficient amount of time necessary to complete the comeback. GRC fell short and lost.
A fair argument could be made that we shouldn’t have allowed Warren Central to hold the ball for that long. However, in close late game situations the team with the lead will put in the best five ball handlers they have to protect the ball and not turn it over. Pair that with foul trouble and getting the ball back becomes much more difficult.
North Dakota is one of the 21 states with a shot clock currently implemented. Bishop Ryan Catholic girls head coach Cole Edwards said in an interview that holding the ball for long periods of time had been a recurring issue.
The addition of the standardized 35-second shot clock has put an end to teams keeping the ball away, increased fan excitement, and boosted competitiveness.
While not having a shot clock is favorable to the winning team in late game scenarios, players would much rather fight it out to the end in an up-paced dog fight. Winning in the end feels far more rewarding, and the game is much more fun.
From a fan perspective, I’d say it’d be safe to speak for everyone when I say that I would much rather watch an up tempo back and forth game. A shot clock puts a limit to every possession for both teams, undoubtedly speeding the game up.
Professional basketball has a shot clock. College basketball has a shot clock. Kentucky High School basketball needs a shot clock.
