Survey says: ‘Use shot clock for high school basketball’

Shot clock debate resumes for prep hoops, inches toward conclusion

BY STEVE SMITH SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

To loosely paraphrase Skakespeare, “to use a shot clock or not to use a shot clock.” at is the question before the Colorado High School Activities Association.

CHSAA’s rst board meeting of the academic year included the results of a survey on shot clock use. CHSAANow.com said three in ve athletic directors and district athletic directors wanted a shot clock in high school basketball. Seven in 10 metro area schools supported it; more than half of the rural schools didn’t. More than 300 people participated in the survey.

Former Frederick girls basketball coach Brett Andersen (he’s the current girls coach at Fort Morgan High School) and former Horizon boys basketball coach Brandon

Brown – now the coach at Eaglecrest High School in Aurora – would rather see a shot clock.

“Overall, it’s the best thing for the development of our athletes and our brand of basketball,” Brown said. “We played club basketball with a shot clock this year. ( ere were) minimum clock malfunctions, the game was faster. And it forces teams to execute end-of-quarter/end-of-game situations without stalling it out. I’m a big fan of the shot clock.” e board also heard some concerns, such as cost, availability of workers and potential disadvantages for weaker teams. CHSAA states more than half of the United States will be using a shot clock by the end of the next school year.

CHSAA’s board plans to continue conversations. e goal is to present a recommendation to the association’s legislative council in time for its January meeting. Earlier this spring, CHSAA’s basketball committee “strongly” recommended use of the shot clock “In the near future.”