I have sort of been on the fence on this issue for a long time, but more and more I am thinking we should have a shot clock in high school basketball in the State of Ohio.
There are eight states in he country that have an unlimited shot clock of between 30-35 seconds. They are: California, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota and Washington. Other states, such as Minnesota, allow a shot clock in certain non-conference games or in holiday tournaments.
The argument against installing a shot clock has been it takes away a strategic avenue for coaches of teams that for some reason may want to limit the possessions in games giving their teams a better chance of winning.
However, I am a proponent of the theory may the best team win. I understand fully that this makes me different than the regular American sports fan who loves the upset, or so they say. Really, they love the upset if it benefits their team in beating their hated rival, who may have better talent that year, or another team beating the conference leaders. The pure concept of seeing a lesser team win, I don’t know if I buy that or not.
The 1980 United States hockey team, yes I know that was 35 years ago, is the ultimate example of the underdog winning, but there were a whole lot more issues involved there than just underdogs, including the cold war. Plus, that’s not basketball anyway. International basketball has a shot clock.
What I am tired of seeing is teams holding the ball and just taking time off the clock. That is just not very exciting to me as a fan. To be very simple, let’s play! I like to see some flow to the game, that’s the way basketball should be.
I am thinking 35 seconds would be okay for the shot clock. That would allow a team to slow down the tempo of action, but not completely take the air out of the ball. Honestly if you are taking 30-35 seconds to take a shot you are playing pretty slowly and forcing the other team, that wants to play faster, to play your style.
There is still strategy involved as well and for both sides. Good teams would be ones that handle the shot clock well and are still able execute when the shot clock gets under five seconds. In other words not get nervous when the pressure is on.
Also, a team who takes the lead and doesn’t want to face a zone defense can not just stand there and hold the ball as time clicks off the clock. I dislike that more than anything in the game. Again, let’s play! If you are a good team you should be able to execute against a zone too.
In my viewpoint the biggest obstacle to a shot clock remains financial in nature. I know it would be difficult for small districts, Lucas, St. Peter’s, Mansfield Christian, for example, to afford the cost of installing the clock who’s cost would be in the thousands.
However, I believe the Ohio High School Athletic Association must be able to find away to assist all district in clearing that hurdle by providing dollars to help pay for the clocks.
The money made from the 12,000 to 13,000 people I see sitting in the stands for each of the games at the state basketball tournament must be going somewhere right?
A shot clock in Ohio would lead to a better game and one that more fans would like to attend.
