High school shot clocks draw mixed reviews from coaches

DES MOINES — With Tuesday’s announcement by the Iowa High School Athletic Association and the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union about upcoming changes in three different sports, one change is drawing a lot of attention even though it will not be implemented until the 2022-23 season and the other two will take effect this season.

Varsity basketball games will go at a much faster pace with the implementation of a shot clock of 35 seconds in the 2022-23 high school year. It will be for both boys and girls varsity games while subvarsity games will not be required to use it.

The other two changes are in bowling and track and field. The state bowling tournaments will add an individual tournament to state -qualifying and state meets.

Track will be allowed to start practice one week sooner.

The National Federation of High Schools has encouraged standardization among states and 35 seconds was the timing provided by federation approval. Further shot clock information and rule implementation will be provided by IHSAA and IGHSAU as it becomes available ahead of the 2022-23 season.

Highland girls basketball coach Jody Fink is not in favor of it.

“But we will play as if it has been around forever,” he said. “I think it is adding more problems.”

Fink mentioned obstacles such as cost for the implementation of the shot clock and training someone to run it.

“We are going to have to find an area near both scoreboards to put the shot clock and run wiring to use them,” Fink said of Highland’s gym where one end is open to a stage. “Placement shouldn't be too large of a problem. It is more of the financial aspect for schools. It will be worse for some than others.”

Smaller schools usually have parents do the score book and the game clock. That lasts until their children graduate and then a need to replace them arises.

“Now they have to find someone else to work the bench,” Fink said. “The benches are already crowded at most places also.”

For the majority of games, Fink doesn’t see the clock as an issue as most teams aren't holding onto the ball that long.

Fairfield boys basketball head coach Mick Flattery was excited about the addition to the high school game and was already debating strategies.

“Definitely strategies will be involved such as two for one on offense late in a quarter,” Flattery said. “Teams may be playing more full court defenses so the offense has less time to run set.”

Like anything, however, there are pros and cons. Shooting percentages may go down but scoring should improve.

It allows players who are good enough to get ready for college and its shot clock, which is 30 seconds.

Fink estimates less than 3% of all kids in the nation go onto play in college. “It is very small in numbers,” he said.

Teams will not be able to just hold the ball and stall which will be better for player and fan entertainment.

“If someone wants to stall, it takes two teams to allow it to happen,” Fink said. “As for those that say we need to teach kids about it for colleges, the kids are resilient and will be able to adjust as they have for decades already.”

Flattery sees positives.

“I’m a big believer in FIBA International rules and this is one of them,” he said. “It is exciting for the game. We cannot forget we need to be proactive in making our game better for the kids.”