GROVE: Pros, cons of shot clock weighed

College basketball has seen changes to the shot clock over the past couple of years. In the NCAA, men used a 35-second shot clock while the women used a 30-second clock. Now, both use 30-second clocks while the NBA has a shot clock of 24.

Ohio has no shot clock at the high school level although much debate has been shared throughout internet forums and casual debates between fans.

Eight states (Massachusetts, Maryland, Rhode Island, Washington, New York, California, North Dakota and South Dakota) use a shot clock for either the boys or girls game. Since the national governing body for high school athletics, the National Federation of State High School Associations, currently doesn’t call for a shot clock, any state that uses one forfeits representation at the national level on the rules committee.

But many local high school coaches argue a shot clock would be good for the game.

“It would obviously add another dimension to the game,” Fitch boys head coach Brian Beany said. “In-game philosophy would change in how coaches plan on attacking the other team. The number of possessions each team will have will definitely increase, which in turn makes the game more exciting.”

Boardman boys coach Patrick Birch said his team ran into a situation recently that the Spartans would’ve benefited from if a shot clock were in place in Ohio.

“With two minutes to play, we were down three and instead to being able to possibly get defensive stops within the shot clock, we had to get ourselves out of position by trapping and then fouling with the hope of missed free throws,” Birch said. “Instead of being able to defend, we had to rely on a good foul-shooting team to miss.”

Warren Harding head coach Andy Vlajkovich, who has one of the most up-tempo programs in the area, said he’s mostly in favor of a shot clock because of the style of play his team runs.

“Having a clock drastically changes strategies both offensively and defensively,” Vlajkovich said. “A coach would have to manage end-of-clock situations just as college coaches do.

“I understand the opposing view of not having one. Not having a shot clock is sometimes the only way a team can remain competitive. I think it just depends on the team you coach, style you play and competition you play against.”

While those in favor often said a shot clock would better prepare players for the next level, others voiced concerns about the cost associated with mandatory shot clock equipment and finding people to effectively run shot clocks in addition to scorers and game clock operators.

“I see two main drawbacks,” Canfield girls head coach Matt Reel said. “The length of the shot clock would need to be very important.

“In girls basketball, lack of skill would make it difficult for some teams to score against different types of defenses such as full-court zone traps.

“Second, I think at a time when athletic budgets are strapped, instituting the cost of shot clocks and someone to operate them is a difficult proposal,” Reel said.

Todd Muckleroy, Canfield’s boys coach, said his team’s entire philosophy would have to change if Ohio adopted a shot clock. “Our schedule requires us to play several teams that are bigger than my teams and more athletic as well,” Muckleroy said. “We have built a reputation of being more ‘ball-controlled’ while working to get the best shot we can on offense.

“I feel that a shot clock would take the aspect of preparation and planning away from the coaching staff.”

Many in favor of a shot clock feel the game would be more exciting for fans if teams weren’t allowed to hold the ball sometimes for minutes at a time. Mineral Ridge boys head coach Randy Riccitelli said the game is more important than what many fans feel is more exciting.

“I do not feel like we need [a shot clock],” Riccitelli said. “This isn’t about what is a ‘watchable’ game. This is about a high school coach doing whatever it takes to win a game for his kids. If holding the ball is the game plan then he should be able to hold the ball.”

Whatever happens in Ohio, Fitch girls coach Stacie Cepin says she believes someday a shot clock will be implemented at the high school level.

“It would create an exciting new challenge,” Cepin said. “I believe someday it will be implemented.”

Charles Grove is a sports reporter for The Vindicator. Email him at cgrove@vindy.com