The girls high school basketball team at Detroit Renaissance will play for a state championship for the first time since 2021 after a four-point win over DeWitt. It was the perfect example of how to exploit the lack of universal shot clock and how the defense can break the stalling tactics with increased pressure.
There are two sides to the ongoing debate.
Although it is a completely legal and often strategy to stall, it defeats the entire purpose of high school basketball. The goal is to actually play the game.
Michigan does not use a shot clock for high school basketball.
If you have not been following along with our coverage of this topic over the last few weeks, months and even years— only 32 of 50 states use a shot clock for high school basketball. There are still 18 states that refuse to adopt a 35-second shot clock and Michigan is one of them.
The Mitten State does not currently use a shot clock in regulation games. However, the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan (BCAM) and Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) are moving toward adoption. A proposal is on the table for an optional phase-in year in 2026-27 and required implementation by 2027-28. It seems likely to pass.
Trials indicated that the 35-second shot clock will reduce fouls at the end of games and improve player development. Perhaps more importantly, it prevents the offense from stalling and refusing to shoot.
Some coaches on the other side of the debate express concern that it speeds up the game too much if their teams cannot run an efficient offense. Bad teams are forced to take even more bad shots so scores will get even more out of hand.
There is also a cost issue.
It can cost thousands of dollars (that they may not have) for schools to install an adequate shot clock. The schools would also need to pay an extra official for every game to watch the clock.
Thus, as of right now, there is no shot clock for high school basketball in Michigan.
Renaissance refused to shoot against DeWitt.
The lack of shot clock played a big role during the Division 1 semifinal matchup between Detroit Renaissance and DeWitt. The Phoenix jumped out to a seven-point lead over the Panthers at the start of the fourth quarter.
Knowing it had controlled the pace of play throughout the entire game and held a sizable lead with only eight minutes left to play, Renaissance decided to play keep-away. Its offense did not even look to shoot. DeWitt ultimately put on the pressure and forced a turnover after about 90 seconds came off the clock.
https://t.co/9LSRcQR3Fo pic.twitter.com/SU32Tqf7r7
— Shaun McKinney (@Coach_McKinney) March 20, 2026
That trend continued throughout the rest of the game.
The Phoenix did their best to kill as much clock as possible on every offensive possession. It scored only three two-point baskets during the entire fourth quarter to finish with a team total of 32 points.
The Panthers did whatever they could to break through the stalling tactics. They scored nine points during the fourth quarter to get within four but they ultimately ran out of time. Coincidence? I think not!
Detroit Renaissance advanced to the state championship game for the first time in five years by a final score of 32-28. There could’ve been a lot more points scored if there was a shot clock. DeWitt could not get enough possession to mount a comeback. A shot clock would’ve at least given them a fair chance.