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SENTINEL EXPRESS FORT LUPTON PRESS STANDARD BLADE Adams County Shot clock plan gets a local thumbs-up B R I G H T O N
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approved budget for 2021 Bigger budget, no furloughs/layoffs BY STAFF REPORT
The Adams County board of commissioners approved a 2021 operating budget that is slightly higher than this year’s. “We are fortunate to be on solid financial ground as COVID-19 continues to affect our community,” said County Manager Raymond H. Gonzales in a press statement. “Although the pandemic is a factor in our budget, it is not stopping Adams County from planning and executing projects based on our goals for 2021. With proper management and planning, we were able to present a budget with no proposed layoffs or furloughs.” Some specific projects and costs in the 2021 budget include: Renovation of the Coroner’s facility ($4 million); Construction of a new facility for the fleet and public works departments ($9.5 million); Design of a multiuse arena at Riverdale Regional Park ($1.5 million); Installation of a new irrigation system at the Dunes Golf Course ($3 million); and New and replacement fleet vehicles and equipment ($2.9 million); “As we planned for another unusual year, the board kept the county mission to responsibly serve our community with integrity and innovation at the forefront of the budget process,” said Emma Pinter, commission chairperson, in that press statement. “From renovation and construction of facilities to make sure our vital services are available to the start of a new arena at the regional park and everything in between, we are poised to make good on that promise in 2021.” The 2021 adopted budget is available for review at adcogov.org/ budget.
BY STEVE SMITH SSMITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
If it were up to a handful of area basketball coaches, there would be a shot clock in high-school basketball. The Colorado High School Association’s basketball committee started the process of using a shot clock last month. Eventually, it will be up to CHSAA’s legislative council, the decision-making body for the association, to make the decision. Byron Gray, the boys basketball coach at Riverdale Ridge High School, thinks a shot clock would be a great addition. “Some other states already use a shot clock, and every level above high school uses a shot clock in some form. So, it will better align the high school game with the collegiate and pro game,” Gray said. “Adding a shot clock will also help develop a further understanding of the game. You will need to make good use of time and score.” Timothy Jones, the new girls’ basketball coach for the Ravens, would like to see a shot clock too. “It’s a great tool for coaches to teach the game how it will be played at the next level,” he said. “It will also help with game control and situations. It will force teams to play the game with strategy, which allows us as coaches to do what we do best. And that’s coach.” Adams City girls basketball coach James Rogers thinks the shot clock will speed up the game. “I coached a club game in Kansas City. They had one. It was great. The kids loved it,” Rogers said. “To say the least, I think we could really benefit from it.” Frederick boys basketball coach Enoch Miller is a shot-clock proponent. “The quality and entertainment of the product alone is enough for me, but also the need for every player to improve their skill level are all reasons,” he said. “We have many players aspiring to play at the next level. When they have never played with a shot clock, that makes it difficult.” Brighton High School boys basketball coach is hoping to see a shot clock.
Legacy’s Macully Sehr drives to the basket in the 2019-2020 season opener against Brighton’s Dylan Verbeek. This spring, both boys and girls teams may have to learn PHOTO BY ADAM HOTHERSALL contend with new rules.
“I don’t think it would allow for any more possessions or higher scoring games, but I think it would improve the quality of the game, coach- and player-wise,” he said. “I think for coaches, it would force us to communicate, get creative, and teach more efficiently on both ends of the floor. Players would have to really think the game at a quicker speed, which means skills would have to improve.” “I’ve coached club teams in specific tournaments when a shot clock was incorporated into the rules,” BHS girls basketball coach Jim French said. “The players adjust. Coaches must adapt to it as well. Strategy can change, but it restricts those teams that want to walk the ball up the floor.” French said teams can still move the ball for the best shot of each possession.
“But it will eliminate a team from being up in score to simply stall,” he said. “I believe some oppose the unknown, the cost of an additional clock operator or a healthy fear of simply being progressive. We’ve voted on it a couple of times. I believe it will happen, but it may not be this year.” Eagle Ridge Academy boys coach Jay Powell said a shot clock will help players develop and show them they can play at the next level. “Our players, especially guards need to show they have the awareness and skill to play in a time-restricted environment,” he said. Prairie View’s boys’ coach, Damien Romero, said a shot clock yields more possessions and would “help raise situational awareness for both coaches and the players.” SEE SHOT CLOCK, P6