OHSAA Weighs Adding Shot Clock for Basketball

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It’s been bantered about in recent years, but seemingly more so this past season than any other. When will the Ohio High School Athletic Association introduce a shot clock for basketball?

In a meeting with the Ohio Prep Sports Media Association Tuesday, Commissioner Doug Ute explained a proposal has been made. Ute spoke after having spent the morning in a meeting of the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association.

“The last couple of years, we’ve allowed the Coaches Association to conduct some experimental games to get some feedback” said Ute. “To be honest with you, I don’t think our board is ready for this (shot clock use) right now in Ohio and we’re watching other states. The Coaches Association has talked with coaches across the country and so have I. People that have it say it’s not really an issue. I think there has to be more contact between our coaches in Ohio and NIAAA (the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association).”

32 states are allowing the shot clock to be used in their games. The Kentucky High School Athletic Association reportedly has joined that number beginning next season.   

Ute said if the proposal were up for a vote today, it wouldn’t pass because the board isn’t ready. “We have nine members on the board and eight of them are athletic directors… to be fair, they’re just not ready for it in Ohio.”

Ute said first and foremost is to ask how does it make the game better?  “We don’t do it because they’re doing it at the next level (college). That’s not our mission, to prepare kids to play in college. Then there’s the cost of installation. Some our schools will write a check today, but some don’t have that ability.”

Ute, a former district superintendent, said he knows the budget tightening for Ohio’s schools is a concern. Adding shot clocks could mean between $4,000 and $10,000. He said if the OHSAA adopts the clock, every member with basketball would be required to add a clock mounted to the baskets at each end of the floor.

Another concern is who’s going to run the clock, which would require additional personnel for each game across the state. “You have to have someone operating it that knows what they’re doing and can pay attention. Some states are keeping one of the JV game officials over and paying them to run that shot clock.” There again, adds another cost for the host school’s game operating budget. While the commissioner wouldn’t commit to a time frame for adding the shot clock, it likely won’t be happening soon.