Here are the main reasons people (me) consider a shot clock problematic or "bad" for high school basketball: - It hurts underdogs and creates bigger blowouts — Without a shot clock, a less talented team can slow the game way down (holding the ball for long stretches) to limit possessions and give themselves a better chance at an upset. A shot clock removes that strategy, forcing them to play faster against superior opponents, which often leads to more lopsided scores. This is especially relevant in high school, where talent gaps between teams can be huge (unlike more even college/pro levels). - It takes away legitimate strategy and coaching creativity — High school basketball is unique in allowing varied styles, including deliberate, slow-paced offenses (e.g., motion sets that take 45–60 seconds). Critics say forcing quicker shots reduces strategic depth and turns the game into something more like college/pro ball, which isn't always the goal at the high school level (where most players aren't heading to college hoops). - Potential negative impact on player development and fundamentals — Some argue that rushing possessions leads to more bad shots, turnovers, sloppy play, and rushed decisions, especially for developing high school players who may not have the skills yet to consistently create good looks in under 35 seconds. Without the clock, teams can teach patience, ball movement, and better shot selection. - It can disrupt game flow in the opposite way — Ironically, strict adherence to a shot clock might cause teams to pass up good early shots to "use more clock," slowing the pace artificially (similar to what happened in some college eras with slower, clock-managing teams like old Wisconsin or Virginia styles). This could interrupt natural flow more than occasional stalling does. - Cost and logistics — Installing and maintaining shot clocks (displays, operators, backups for malfunctions) costs schools thousands of dollars per gym ($3,000–$4,000 estimates in some states), plus ongoing expenses. Many smaller or underfunded programs see this as unnecessary when the game has functioned without it for decades. - Late-game dynamics aren't always improved — While a shot clock can prevent endless stalling when leading, some say the current no-clock setup (combined with rules like double bonus) already favors the leading team too much via fouling/free throws. But others point out that extreme stalling (e.g., 4-2 games or holding for minutes) is rare and can be countered by aggressive defense instead of changing the rules for.

Me every June.

El Capitan boys basketball coach Adrian Hurtado steps down after leading Gauchos to section title game. @ECapbaseball @GauchoNetwork @ecgauchos @ElCapBasketball @ElCapGirlsBball @ECPrincipalCope @MercedUHSD mercedsunstar.com/news/local…

Clip from Vice Sports of Rick Pitino at halftime of the St. John's game at Providence. #sjubb was down big, and rallied to win.