IHSA Executive Director shares insights into shot-clock decision

Posted on June 12, 2024
IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson visited WJBC’s Afternoon Show. (Photo courtesy: IHSA)

By Blake Haas

BLOOMINGTON – Illinois High School Association leaders recently approved a shot clock for high school basketball.

The much-anticipated move brings a 35-second shot clock to boy’s and girl’s basketball starting in the 2026 school year.

For IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson, the move comes from feedback from coaches and administrators.

“I don’t in gameplay; we are going to see a lot of changes to the style of play. Yes, it’s going to prevent that team from holding the ball if they wanted to for two to three minutes in a quarter. But, I think the biggest impact is going to come during late in a half, late in the game, you know, when there is a close game.”

Over the past several school years, tournaments have been allowed to use a shot clock. However, regular-season games were not allowed to use it.

“The average (high school) possession is 15 to 20 seconds,” Anderson said on WJBC’s Afternoon Show. “So, in gameplay, I don’t think we are going to see a lot of changes to the style of play.”

Use of the shot clock for lower-level contests will be determined by conferences and via mutual agreement by competing teams in non-conference games.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

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