For anyone who has ever shot baskets at a driveway or playground hoop, you know the feeling. All alone, you take a few dribbles as an imaginary clock counts down in your mind. 5-4-3-2 and just as the ‘clock’ hits 1, the ball is released skyward towards the awaiting hoop. As the ball swishes cleanly through the net, arms are raised in victory as your mind declares, ‘We win.’
In instances where the shot fails to go in, the entire sequence is quickly repeated until that winning shot is successful.
Oh yes, buzzer-beaters.
They are a basketball player’s equivalent of a baseball home run, a game-winning touchdown, or a successful soccer penalty kick. It’s the stuff that fills youthful sports dreams.
Hear-to-fore, a hoopster may have had four opportunities each game to experience that exciting moment (maybe more if overtimes occurred). But, beginning with the 2028-29 Pennsylvania High School basketball season, buzzer-beating chances, although not as dramatic, will become a common occasion.
Earlier this month, the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association took the first step toward implementing a shot clock requirement in high school and junior varsity boys’ and girls’ basketball. The vote came following a survey that the PIAA sent to both school districts and officials, showing support for the addition of a shot clock by a slim margin.
The survey results revealed that 72% of the schools that were sent surveys responded. The total included 285 (55%) supporting the shot clock, while 237 (45%) did not. Most of the opposition came from smaller schools, citing cost factors as the main reason for the opposition. Of the game officials returning the survey, 59% favored the addition of a shot clock.
PIAA District 3 representative Branden Lippy addressed the concerns of smaller schools and the decision to push back the shot clock until the 2028-29 school year.
“There are financial concerns about paying for the shot clock itself and then paying for additional event workers to run that part of the game. The important piece to anything, especially in public education, is budgeting in advance. It’s important to not just spring it on our constituents.”
By PIAA classification, the votes cast included: 1A 54-38 in favor of no; 2A 47-43, no; 3A 41-40, yes; 4A 50-40, no; 5A 52-25, yes; and 6A 71-21, yes. Many of the larger school votes came from District 1 near Philadelphia.
Locally, Williamsport was among the state’s larger schools favoring the shot clock implementation.
“Our coaches and staff are in favor of the shot clock implementation plan for the PIAA,” responded Williamsport High School athletic director Sean McCann. “I understand the concerns with cost for the schools and the burden of hiring another game worker to operate the clock during JV and varsity games. However, the shot clock ensures that teams will play with purpose and pace, using skills like ball movement and quick-decision-making to operate their offense.
“A shot clock keeps the offense moving, no more stalling with the lead, which allows for a competitive game with a lot more action. I think the faster pace will be enjoyable for the players and the spectators at the games.”
Just as once was a staple of the Sixty Minutes TV show’s ‘Point/Counterpoint’ segment, Muncy athletic director Curt Chilson aligns with the smaller schools’ negative viewpoint of the shot clock issue.
“The shot clock is going to require purchasing two clocks and having to utilize an additional game worker for each JV/varsity game, which is an additional cost factor. Additionally, it is going to require the referees to pay more attention to whether the ball hits the rim or not and to make sure the clock is reset correctly on each possession.
“I’ve watched plenty of college and NBA games where there is constant replay utilized to make the right call. We don’t have replay in high school, so this is going to add pressure on the refs to get the calls correct. People will argue that the game is better when teams can’t just stand around and hold the ball. If a team plays man pressure defense where people are in the passing lanes, nobody will be able to hold the ball against your team, and the problem will be solved.”
The action, which would make Pennsylvania the 32nd state to implement a shot clock in high school basketball, did not come without internal PIAA controversy.
The ‘let’s have a shot clock motion’ supported the results of the PIAA survey sent to member schools, as previously cited, was approved by a 22-9 board vote. However, the PIAA basketball steering committee voted down a similar motion by a 6-5 margin on June 17.
Commenting on the disagreement among the ranks and the decision to push back shot clock implementation until 2028 PIAA Executive Director Robert Lombardi; “I think this is a step that the board took feeling this is maybe three years away to give people time to recognize it’s important to get back to the steering committee- the experts – to see if there’s anything else that they would like to consider.”
On the rare occasion a Pittsburgh Pirates player hits a home run, team announcer Greg Brown proclaims, “Clear the deck, cannonball coming!” Regardless of which side of the issue you fall, “open your eyes, shot clock coming.”
