If you have been following along with this website over the last few weeks, you know that I have become hyperaware to a lack of shot clock in high school basketball. This latest occurrence in the state of Wisconsin completely contradicts one of the most commonly used arguments to continue this epidemic.
The lack of shot clock did not allow for an inferior opponent to even try and mount a comeback. Even though it is a completely legal and effective strategy to exploit the clock rules as they are written, it makes for a truly unwatchable product that creates an even bigger disadvantage for the underdog.
For those of you who are new here, let me catch you up. Only 24 of 50 states use a shot clock in high school basketball. More than 50% of the country does not require its teams to shoot within a defined period of time. Offenses are allowed to take as long as they want.
The primary explanations for the lack of shot clock are as follow:
- Bad teams are forced to take even more bad shots with a shot clock.
- Scores will get even more out of hand.
- Some coaches don’t believe a shot clock would increase the level of play.
- The cost of installing and operating shot clocks can be prohibitive for smaller schools.
- Installing adequate shot clock systems can cost thousands of dollars.
- An extra official would need to be hired for every game to watch the clock.
I understand the financial challenges involved with the installation of a shot clock. That makes sense!
However, let’s use Saturday’s playoff game between Marshfield High School and Kimberly High School in Wisconsin to discuss the first two points. Some coaches who are against a shot clock believe that it would force bad teams to take even more bad shots. That would allow a better team more opportunities to take even more good shots. The score will become even more lopsided as a result.
It was the exact opposite in Wisconsin Rapids! Marshfield jumped out to an eight-point lead at halftime of the Division 1 sectional final and scored the first seven points of the second half to take a 33-18 lead over Kimberly. That gap increased to 23 points with 10:31 remaining. The game was all-but over.
To ensure that Kimberly could not come back, Marshfield parked the bus. It did not even try to shoot for the final 10 minutes of the game. It waited for the defense to commit a foul.
A parade of free throws ensued. Marshfield went on to win 62-35.
If there was a shot clock, Kimberly would’ve at least received the chance to try for a comeback. The lack of shot clock created an even bigger disadvantage because it had to foul on every defensive possession just to get the ball back. Marshfield, like schools in Kansas, Louisiana and Illinois earlier this month, took advantage of the bogus clock rules and it worked. It was hard to watch.
I understand if a shot clock is too expensive for smaller high schools. They should at the very least be installed for state playoff games. This kind of clock killing strategy should not determine the outcome.
I am not hating the players, I am hating the game. High school basketball teams that take advantage of this advantage provided to them are completely in the right. It would be silly not to!
But with that being said, this kind of advantage should not exist in the first place. We need shot clocks.