How a shot clock would have affected recent Topeka-area high school basketball games
TOPEKA — Last week, the KSHSAA announced a new addition to coming to Kansas high school basketball for the 2024-25 season: There will be a one-year trial run with a shot clock for schools that want to participate.
But there are two differing camps when it comes to implementing a shot clock.
First, a majority of coaches want to see it put in place to help speed the game along and avoid low-scoring contests. While coaches want to see a shot clock, school administrators are worried about the costs of purchasing the technology and finding an additional volunteer to operate it.
The pros and cons of the shot clock have been discussed at length. The question remains: How would it affect the game? The Capital-Journal tracked each possession in last Friday’s boys and girls games between Shawnee Heights and Seaman.
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'I am curious to see how the shot clock will play its part'
Seaman girls basketball is known for its high-tempo offense instilled by head coach Matt Tinsley. But Shawnee Heights plays fast, too. The Thunderbirds did not have a single possession that lasted over 35 seconds. If a shot clock were in place, Shawnee Heights would not have been called for a violation.
The Vikings would have been called for two violations, both in the second quarter. The first came on the opening possession, which lasted 38 seconds. Most of that time was spent trying to understand Shawnee Heights' defensive adjustments.
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The second, which also lasted 38 seconds, came during their final possession of the quarter as the Vikings tried to look for their best possible shot. Neither was egregious or seemed unbecoming, but the shot clock is something Tinsley wants in place for the sport.
“It will be something that coaches will have to work on in practice and how you want to handle those situations,” Tinsley said. “It will come down to executing a shot clock play that you will do if the play breaks down. It doesn’t happen very often, so I am curious to see how the shot clock will play its part.”
A shot clock for high school? 'It’s not going to be like the college game'
The results of the hypothetical shot clock were much different in the boys game as Shawnee Heights edged Seaman by three points — partly, by controlling the clock.
The Thunderbirds had one possession that lasted over 35 seconds. It came in the fourth quarter — and lasted 49 seconds — as they tried to take the sting out of Seaman’s momentum. And it worked considering Dylan Sanchez made a 3-pointer.
Yet, Seaman played at a much slower pace, finishing with four possessions that lasted over the 35-second barrier. Seaman had possessions of 52, 46, 42 and 40 seconds. This wasn’t for a lack of trying; Seaman wanted to slow down the tempo because of Shawnee Heights’ success in transition. The Thunderbirds also played lockdown defense on many of these extended offensive plays.
The shot clock would have influenced these games, particularly during possessions at the beginning and end of quarters.
“It’s not going to be like the college game where you see situations happen like that often,” Tinsley said. “In the high school game, a shot or a turnover is going to happen before it even gets to that situation.”
Regardless of class, schools have the opportunity to participate in the pilot program of the shot clock next season. Schools must notify their league commissioners if they intend to use a shot clock no later than Oct. 1
Liam Keating covers high school sports for The Topeka Capital-Journal. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: How the KSHSAA shot clock would affect Topeka-area basketball teams
