×

GAME CHANGER

Shot clock coming to prep hoops in 2022-23

The WCHS competition gymnasium has been equipped with shot clocks on top of each backboard since the facility opened in 2012. Those shot clocks will finally be put to use starting with the 2022-23 season, it was announced on Tuesday. DFJ photo/Troy Banning

WEBSTER CITY — Speculation, opinion, debate — all three have run amuck at times over the years surrounding the issue of a shot clock in high school basketball. That’s all in the past now though.

Ready or not, it’s coming.

In a joint press release sent out Tuesday morning, the Iowa High School Athletic Association and the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union announced that a 35-second shot clock will be implemented in girls’ and boys’ varsity basketball starting in 2022-23.

The National Federation of State High School Associations gave the go-ahead in May when it announced that members could begin using a shot clock in 2022-23. Iowa’s two governing bodies didn’t waste much time in making it official.

“I’m in favor of it and I think it’s good for the kids,” Webster City head boys’ basketball coach Marty McKinney said. “I think they’ll enjoy the game more and it’s going to add some more strategy to the game.”

WCHS boys’ basketball coach Marty McKinney (above) is in favor of the implementation of shot clocks in the high school game. He says players will enjoy the game more. DFJ file photo/Troy Banning

McKinney wasn’t the only area basketball coach who liked the move. In fact, South Hamilton girls’ head coach Mark Henderson and boys’ head coach Matt Juber both applauded the decision. WCHS girls’ head coach Nicole Muhlenbruch was somewhat surprised by the news, but said she’s sure her players will adapt.

“I’m definitely in favor of it,” Henderson said. “For the fans, it’s a lot more exciting and for the players it’s more exciting too. We want to play the same style of basketball that (the kids) could play in college and that involves a shot clock.”

Said Juber: “It’s probably a good thing in the grand scheme of things. We’ve all seen those games where teams will hold the ball for whatever reason and it takes that element out of the game for sure. For a large percentage of teams, I don’t think it’s going to be that big of an issue though. A lot of possessions don’t even sniff 30 seconds.”

Muhlenbruch said it will be an adjustment, both for players and coaches, and she thinks coaches are making a mistake if they don’t begin preparations for the transition prior to the start of the 2022-23 season.

“Preparing for it now, that’s the smart thing to do,” she said. “For me, I think you’re going to have to rely more on the leadership on the court. You won’t have as much time to set a play up, so you’re going to have to rely on the kids on the court to make plays.”

Opponents of a shock clock have long argued about the cost burden that will fall onto school districts, as well as potential issues with finding another person to run the shot clock at games. Depending on the model, it’s estimated that shot clocks will cost between $2,000 and $5,000, and any additional expenses to hire another worker for games will also have to be factored into the equation.

The WCHS competition gym was equipped with shot clocks when it opened in the fall of 2012, so that expense has already been taken care of. South Hamilton, however, will be one of the many schools that will need to purchase shot clocks.

McKinney wasn’t thinking about the costs, rather the changes when he first learned of the decision though. His WCHS teams have long been known as methodical on offense and hard-nosed on defense, and yet he thinks his team will benefit from the change. Yes, his offense might have to speed up at times, but 35 seconds of tough defense will make it awfully hard for opponents to get the shots they want.

“You’re going to want to try to get a good shot early,” he said. “In the past, we might say we’re not going to take that shot. Now, if you have a good shot 10 seconds into the possession, you’re going to want to shoot it.”

All four coaches foresee more full- and half-court presses as a way to slow down opponents. If a team can force an opponent to take eight or nine seconds to get the ball into the front court, that will limit chances of good shots within the 35-second possession.

“It really bodes well for teams that play defense,” Juber said. “If you can bare down for 30 seconds … it rewards a team that can play really good defense.”

Henderson prefers an up-tempo system anyway, so he really doesn’t see a shot clock altering what his teams do.

“If I went back and looked at film from the last few years, it probably wouldn’t have affected many possessions at all,” he said. “So I don’t think it will change a ton of things for us.”

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $3.46/week.

Subscribe Today