On September 12th, 2022, the OSAA announced that they would be changing shot clock rules for the 2023-24 season. The rule change is a 35-second shot clock to be put in high school gyms across the state. 

Originally, both men’s and women’s basketball have been run without a shot clock. Teams could hold the ball for as long as they wanted. This allowed teams to waste time towards the end of the game, when they already had the lead. The opposing team would be forced to eventually foul in order to get another possession. 

Most coaches believe that this change is positive. In an Oregon Basketball Coaches Association survey, 220 coaches wanted a shot clock compared to 48 who were against it. 

Lots of work will need to be done to get shot clocks added in every basketball gym in the 6A division. The OSAA has announced a five-year payment plan to install shot clocks in gyms. The expected cost is to be around $5,000. 

Along with adding shot cost to gyms comes the complications of finding people to run it. Many high schools are currently working on getting a person to actively run the shot clock, meaning more additional costs. 

The changes are exciting for Oregon basketball. New strategies will be implemented, and players and coaches will find different ways to adjust. If there’s shot clocks in collegiate and professional basketball, why not add it to high school? This also gives players a chance to get used to playing under a certain time limit with each possession. 

One reason for this implementation may be due to the time wasting that has been seen over the past few years. Last year, our varsity women’s team was on the receiving end of this tactic from Beaverton, causing them to lose the game. Beaverton held the ball for a prolonged time that lasted three minutes while they were in the lead, which never gave Jesuit the chance to comeback from the deficit. This left a frustrating end for Jesuit, who felt they could have had a chance with a shot clock. 

While there will be complications with the costs and other aspects, the positive results will be worth it for years to come. Time wasting will come to an end, and the fans will fully be able to experience the abilities of the talented basketball players. 

Holding the ball and letting the time tick down will no longer be a legitimate strategy, and players will not have to adjust to making plays in the clutch. Just like college and professional basketball, players learn to attack defenses and run offensive plays. The addition of a shot clock will force more creativity within coaches and players to design plays that will win them the game. 

One senior fan, Richard Anderson, stated his opinion of the shot clock.

“I think it’s a great addition,” Anderson said. “It definitely requires more skill to win now. 

Senior Rohan Varma also agrees with the positives of the rule change. 

“It makes the game more high-paced and will increase the energy throughout the game,” Varma said.