The state of New Jersey voted to approve a shot clock for high school basketball starting in 2027-28. However, the vote is skewed by a lack of attendance.
~20% of schools did not send representation to the meeting.
A measure that was not expected to pass ultimately reached the required mark by exactly one vote. What would’ve happened if every high school basketball program had cast a ballot?!
New Jersey is getting a shot clock for high school basketball.
Budgetary concerns is perhaps the biggest point of emphasis for those who are against a shot clock. The cost of installation and operation can be prohibitive for smaller schools. It can cost thousands of dollars to install an adequate shot clock system. Schools would also need to hire and pay an extra official for every game just to watch the 35-second count.
Other arguments against a shot clock are focused on the quality of play. Bad teams are forced to take even more bad shots if they are on a timer. Scores will get even more out of hand. A shot clock does not increase the quality of play. It takes away from the fundamentals.
Those who are in favor of the shot clock want to eliminate stall tactics, increase the pace of play, improve coaching strategy and modernize the game. College and the pros use a shot clock. That puts the high school athletes who play without a shot clock at a developmental disadvantage.
This is a highly contentious topic in the 18 (now 17) states that don’t use a shot clock. Both sides of the debate are extremely passionate. As a result, the vote on Monday night could not have been any closer.
A new proposal to adopt a 35-second shot clock passed in the state of New Jersey by a vote of 170-166. The proposal needed 169 votes to pass.
According to our friend Jake Aferiat of NJ.com, the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association recounted the vote “at least four times” to be sure it was correct. Executive director Colleen Maguire also confirmed with general counsel Steve Goodell and advisory committee chairman Dave Frazier before the vote was announced as official. It was indeed 170-166.
The state of New Jersey will implement a shot clock for high school basketball starting in 2027-28.
Poor attendance skewed the vote!
Even though the vote was valid, and the proposal passed, the result might’ve been different with full attendance. 415 high schools in the state of New Jersey compete in basketball. Only 336 of them participated in the vote. That comes out to ~81%.
Maguire, the executive director of the NJSIAA, would’ve preferred if it was 100% attendance— even if there were a few schools that still decided to abstain. The vote did not reflect the entire state.
“We figured it was going to be close, but weren’t sure which way it could land. That’s why we have this process. But I just wish we had more schools. We had 336, ballots passed today and we have 415 member high schools that play basketball. I wish we had more schools show to cast their vote.”
If a school that did not vote is upset by the result and complains about the shot clock, well… too bad, so sad! They had a chance to make their voice heard. They chose not to attend.
Meanwhile, Maguire and the NJSIAA are working to lower the cost for schools that either did vote no or would’ve voted no if they were there. She hopes to find a vendor that might provide a discount. We’ll see.
Either way, full price or not, every high school in the state of New Jersey must add a shot clock by 2027!