The PIAA Board of Directors approved the first reading of a rule that would implement a shot clock for junior varsity and varsity boys and girls high school basketball.

The measure was approved by a vote of 22-9, but the PIAA board must vote on the rule twice more to adopt it. If fully approved, the shot clock rule will begin for the 2028-2029 school year.

THE RULE

The new rule stipulates that teams will have 35 seconds to attempt a shot. If a missed shot hits the rim or the metal flange that supports the ring, the shot clock will reset to 20 seconds if the offensive team retains possession. If the shot fails to hit any part of the metal apparatus, the clock continues to run. If the clock expires, it will result in a shot clock violation.

A change of possession resets the clock to 35 seconds. When the clock runs out, it will emit a sound distinct from the game horn that signals the end of periods.

THE EXPENSE

The estimated cost for each school district is between $3,000 and $5,000 for two shot clocks, which would be mounted above each backboard. A secondary digital device must also be available on-site in case of a malfunction, though the specific type of backup device and how it would be used during a game has not yet been defined.

THE ADVANTAGE

Local coaches shared their perspectives on how the rule may affect gameplay.

Panther Valley girls coach Rob Kovac expressed concern that the rule could favor stronger teams, and make upsets more difficult to achieve.

“Teams with more talent could have an even better advantage than they do now,” Kovac said. “They’ll have more possessions. Teams that like to fast break off the transition will benefit, while half-court teams will have to work quickly to get off a good shot before the clock expires.”

Lehighton boys coach Trevor Miller called the rule a “double-edged sword,” noting how shot clocks have influenced the college and pro levels.

“It’ll be a huge advantage for teams that can isolate a talented player one-on-one, especially late in the shot clock,” Miller said. “Coaches without isolation players will need to spend much more time practicing situational half-court sets and managing the clock. There will be a lot of moving parts and kinks during the first year.”

Tamaqua boys coach Jim Baron, a supporter of the rule, echoed their concerns about the potential disparity.

“If you can go one-on-one and beat your defender off the dribble, that’s a big advantage over teams that can’t,” Baron said.

THE EXPERIENCE FACTOR

All three coaches stressed the need for proper training for shot clock operators, who will sit at the scorer’s table next to the official timekeeper.

“No one will have experience with shot clocks, and its function will be an integral part of the game,” Kovac said. “The clock will dictate the tempo, but it can also disrupt the flow.”

He added that games might run longer due to inexperienced operators — “through no fault of their own.”

“I can see the game being paused several times if operators make mistakes starting or stopping the clock,” he said. “If we’re playing a weeknight game in Pine Grove and there are issues in both the JV and varsity games, it could mean a much later ride home.”

Kovac suggested that a junior varsity official with strong knowledge of the game could potentially stay to serve as the varsity shot clock operator.

Officials would use hand signals to indicate when the shot clock should start and stop.

THE OFFICIAL BURDEN

“It’ll definitely be a bigger burden on officials because there’s more to watch,” said Miller, who noted that last season’s rule change eliminating one-and-one foul shots and resetting team fouls each quarter may have paved the way for this decision.

Baron expects the first year or two to be chaotic.

“The good news is that teams won’t be able to slow the game down and run a minute or two off the clock,” he said. “They’ll have 35 seconds to shoot.”

DEFENSE DICTATES

The coaches agreed that defensive intensity will be even more important under the new rule.

“You absolutely have to get more stops on defense and force a shot clock violation or a bad shot,” Kovac said.

Miller added, “It changes how coaches coach. If you’re down a few points late, the common strategy is to foul a poor free-throw shooter. But if you can get a stop and force a violation, you get the ball back without fouling — and still have enough time to run a play.”

Schools will also need to budget for paying an additional support staffer to operate the clock, and for maintaining a backup device in case of malfunction.

THE UNKNOWN

“How will a backup device work if it’s at the scorer’s table with no visible numbers counting down?” Kovac asked. “Will there be a digital backup clock, or will the operator have to call out the countdown aloud as the clock nears zero?”

THE HIGH SCHOOL

PLAYER FACTOR

There’s also the matter of how athletes will adapt.

“Juniors and seniors should be able to manage it,” Baron said. “It’ll be more difficult for younger and JV players.”

Baron remains in favor of the rule overall. Kovac is more hesitant.

“The game has grown organically, especially on the girls’ side,” he said, adding that he may need an assistant coach to signal players when the clock is about to expire. “I don’t know if we need another rule. The game is fine as it is.”

When asked how the shot clock will ultimately affect high school basketball, Miller said: “No one can answer that now — but we’re certainly going to find out.”