By Chris Stevens, Editor
Last Thursday, the National Federation of State High School Associations approved a resolution that would allow states to implement a 35-second shot clock for high school basketball beginning with the 2022-23 season.
A shot clock has long been one of the suggestions to make Delaware high school basketball an improved experience, and while some coaches agree with the sentiment, others aren’t so sure.
“I think shot clock talk is overrated. Just because Delaware gets a shot clock that doesn’t mean the overall game will improve,” Middletown boys head coach Azeez Ali says. “Will it help with coaches not being able to stall? Yes, but that doesn’t mean you’re going to get more scoring. Probably will get more bad shots taken if anything.”
“I don’t know if it guarantees better play, but the tempo would be improved and the ‘stall ball’ mentality would be eliminated,” adds Howard boys’ head coach Rahsaan Matthews Sr. “It would give teams who are down 6-8 points with 1-2 minutes left a legit chance at coming back.”
Archmere girls’ head coach Dan Pisani says “In an ideal world, I do think having a shot clock in Delaware would be a nice addition, but I think the lack of a shot clock gets blamed for a lot of things in high school basketball, but I really don’t believe the game would change much if we started using one.”
While a few coaches feel it may not improve the game immediately, there are others who believe there are benefits to adding a shot clock.
“Part of our job is to try to prepare kids to play in college,” Caravel girls’ head coach Kristin Caldwell explains. “College has a shot clock. It would create a whole new dynamic as far as end of game strategy as well that I think we would all enjoy.”
Delmar boys’ head coach Shawn Phillips agrees.
“It will prepare the kids that are going to college to play be ready and understand that part of the game. If they aren’t going to college to play it will give the kids a chance to see what it feels like,” he says. “It makes the game much faster and more challenging for coaches which is also a plus.”
Cape Henlopen girls’ heads coach Pat Woods adds that “[a shot clock] will ‘force’ more basketball where necessary rather than keep away. It will add more possessions per game and prepare players for the next level. It would also force coaches to think of ‘late clock’ quick hitters and actions. It should make fouling at the end of game less of a need so the game keeps going. It also will allow teams to play zone late if that is your thing.”
One thing most coaches can agree on regarding the shot clock is that it is an added expense, not just to the schools’ bottom lines, but game day manpower as well.
“Part of the issue is the cost to put in shot clocks,” Caldwell says.”And then would schools have to pay someone else at the table to run it?”
“My biggest question is who operates the shot clock,” Ali asks. “There are times when the people working the table aren’t keeping the score adequately.”
“Who’s going to run the clock? Who’s paying for them? It’s also something else officials would have to monitor,” Matthews said.
Pisani adds, “I know many schools struggle to find one reliable adult to run the scoreboard as is, and adding a shot clock could create issues for many schools.”
The ultimate question is will the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association take up the matter in future discussions?
When asked for comment Friday afternoon, DIAA Executive Director Donna Polk answered that “The shot clock use for DIAA will be discussed at a future basketball committee meeting who will make a recommendation to the board for consideration.”
From a fan and parent’s perspective, Lewis Pierce, whose daughter Dallas plays for the Sanford girls’ team, feels that the shot clock is overdue for the first state.
“Delaware absolutely needs a shot clock. It gets the kids ready for the next level,” he says. “We know not every player will play at the next level but why stay behind other states? How will we ever catch up if we don’t do those things?”
Clock’s ticking.
What are your feelings on the shot clock in Delaware high school basketball? Feel free to follow us on Twitter at @FSHoopsReport, on Facebook at facebook.com/firststatehoopsreport or e-mail us at [email protected].
