Rutgers Prep’s Mikayla Blakes looks to pass in the second half of the Non-Public Group B title game against Morris Catholic at Rutgers on March 8, 2024. Jersey Mike’s Arena has a shot clock – as seen in the background – but it’s not in use as the NJSIAA has yet to adopt it in New Jersey. (Photo: Dharen Faraon)
As another high school basketball season in New Jersey wraps up, the debate continues among coaches, administrators and fans over whether or not to institute a shot clock in the Garden State.
The NJSIAA generally follows the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) rules, such as it did this year with changes that got rid of the one-and-one bonus, and resets fouls at the end of each quarter, with only two-shot bonus sets. It also followed uniform rule changes, requiring home teams to wear dark colors and road teams to wear white.
But the NFHS rules only say state associations may utilize a shot clock, meaning it’s not mandatory. As of this season, 27 states utilize the shot clock. And New Jersey is not one of them.
Some of the reason is financial. Schools would have to not only purchase the equipment, which comes at a cost, but also pay an additional game official to operate it, besides the person who runs the game clock and scoreboard.
There are also some who suggest that game clock/scoreboard operators don’t always get that job right, and that adding another clock would mean more things that potentially could go wrong in a game where officials already are under heavy scrutiny for calls gone wrong.
But those in favor point to end-of-period or end-of-game situations where a teams just holds the ball. And of course, it takes two to tango. If the defense were to step up and force the action, officials would begin their five-second count on the player with the ball, but they can still play catch to run down the last minute of a half.
This came into play in the controversial Manasquan-Camden Group 2 semifinals, where ‘Squan ate clock with a lead and didn’t score until the final play of the game, a basket that was initially ruled good but waved off after officials conferred near the scorer’s table. Some said maybe Manasquan shouldn’t have held the ball in that scenario, but then again, if they don’t maybe they’re not even in a position to win it.
But this isn’t about one particular game. Or about instant replay, which is another issue.
Earlier this season, St. Thomas Aquinas head coach Bob Turco told Central Jersey Sports Radio in a pregame interview that he had initiated some zone defense into his game plan this year, something he doesn’t traditionally do. Some of that was due to personnel, but he also admitted he’s had players who go on to college and say something to the effect of, “Coach, we never played any zone in high school, so wasn’t prepared for it.”
Preparation is key. Teaching is critical.
So whether there’s a question about the cost, or the skill level of a clock operator, or whether watching a team take the air out of the ball at the end of a game is boring and “not really basketball,” let’s put all those arguments aside.
Sure, not every high school basketball player in New Jersey will go on to play in college. A few go to big-time schools every year. But many will go and play at smaller schools, or at junior colleges. Having a shot clock in New Jersey will prepare them for the next level of basketball, wherever it may be.
And that is why New Jersey needs the shot clock.