MHSA Adds Shot Clocks to HS Basketball

In their annual meeting held Monday, January 17, 2022, the Montana High School Association voted in favor of adding shot clocks to high school basketball.

The eighth proposal on the agenda was given by Great Falls CMR High School to add a 35-second shot clock to the general rules and regulations.

Their case aims to improve the pace of play, prevent stalling, the quality of games, and add a standardization throughout states.

The proposal noted four benefits of utilizing shot clocks:

• A shot clock would stop stalling in games and require teams to improve game management and strategy.

• The faster pace of the game would encourage player development and improvement.

• The quicker pace would improve the game experience for fans.

• Using a shot clock would better prepare student-athletes for the pace of the game at the college level.

So far, with the addition of Montana, 11 states have implemented the shot clock to high school basketball.

The downsides given were the cost of installation and training for personnel.

On average, a handheld unit costs around $3,500 before installation costs, which would be an additional $5,000-$10,000.

Paying someone to run the clock at a single game can run up to $40.

At the end of the day, the board believed that the pros outweighed the cons, and the shot clock will be implemented following the 2021-22 season.