Boys basketball: Area coaches divided on having a shot clock in high school

Is the shot clock coming to high school basketball? Elyria High and Olmsted Falls recently participated in the Shot Clock Classic at Canton McKinley with favorable results. Both schools won. Elyria defeated Cardinal Mooney, 87-66, and Olmsted Falls beat Orange, 71-47. "I like it, I'm in favor of it," Elyria coach Brett Larrick said. "We already like to play fast anyway. The thing is, people say it didn't affect it that much. I think there was only two or three times that it got close (to a violation) in our game. That's what's going to happen because it forces you to play with tempo. You can't really play slow. I think it's good for the pace of the game. "In close games, that's when the shot clock comes in the fourth quarter with more of an effect. I like it for the pace of the game, the tempo of the game. It's been adopted by many other states. I think it's probably a few years down the road for us but I think you'll see more tournaments next year, as well." Olmsted Falls coach Chris DeLisio agrees, especially after having the opportunity to play with a 35-second shot clock at McKinley. "Great experience," DeLisio said. "I'm definitely in favor. Thirty-five seconds didn't seem to impact many normal possessions. There were a few but it really seemed like a normal game. Our style maybe played into that as well. We don't waste too much time on offense. "The end of our game wasn't a good example but I favor it because it will change the last three minutes of games. Right now, being down six or so with under three minutes puts you in a little bit of desperation mode. Teams slow down, run clock, spread you out. With the shot clock, you can play it normal which would be better for fans as well." The logistics of implementing a shot clock is one deterrent. Schools would have to invest in setting up a clock near the basket and have someone experienced to run the clock with efficiency. "I think we'd already have it if it was easy to do," DeLisio said. "I believe the cost and logistics of running it for each school is the hold up, but it's happening in other states so obviously it can be done." Open Door coach Alan Januzzi believes cost would be a factor, especially at smaller schools. "I'm not a fan of the shot clock in high school," Januzzi said. "I think it would be a huge disadvantage for small schools. As you know, we often need to control the tempo to compete. We rarely use a delay game but I think the shot clock will punish disciplined teams. The game is already too sloppy. The cost would be prohibitive for small schools. It's a challenge to find people to do the clock, announce, etc. It's definitely a hurdle for small schools. I know I'm in the minority on this." One of the legendary coaches of the area, Jim Lawhead, longtime coach at Lorain Catholic and now retired, went through the introduction of the 3-point shot back in 1987. That may have been the last big change in the game. "Our style and culture was built on conditioning and transition," Lawhead said of his Spartan teams. "We were shooting the three before its time. I always thought it might be a distraction because the shooter might be too concerned with the line. That thought was after the fact. "(With the clock) I would be afraid of getting competent clock keepers." Most area coaches think it would be a good idea. It's been approved by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and is currently used in 27 states in some capacity. However, Ohio and adjoining states Pennsylvania, Indiana, Michigan, Kentucky and West Virginia have yet to adopt the 35-second shot clock. Illinois has approved going to the new rule starting next season. "I think how basketball has evolved, it has to happen," Avon coach Mike Fitch said. "People do not want to watch slow basketball games. It will definitely change how teams play and end-of-game situations. No matter what, I think the state will implement it soon." "There's a play clock in football, a pitch clock in baseball and a shot clock is used at every other level of play in basketball," North Ridgeville coach Ben Chase said. "If we want to continue to grow the game and make it enjoyable for all players and fans, we need to implement it. "The excuse that it costs too much money or we need to find someone to run it is exactly that — an excuse. If the product on the court is better, more people will come to watch which would offset the cost." Elyria Catholic coach Jason Smith isn't sure about it. "I've been back and forth on this," he said. "From a game-play standpoint, I think it really only makes an impact at the end of the game. Teams can't just hold the ball with a minute and a half left. The game is so fast-paced already, the majority of possessions are over before the shot clock would go off. "My biggest concern is from an administrative standpoint. We're already asking a lot of our volunteers who are in charge of the clock, the books, etc. Now we are asking them to manage a shot clock. There's a lot that goes into when a shot clock resets, how much time is on the clock on dead balls, did the possession change? It could slow the game down if the person in charge of the clock isn't spot-on. It could be a problem for smaller schools who may have a tougher time finding volunteers." Both Brookside's Larry Babics and Keystone's Jeff Holzhauer are intrigued with the idea. "I'm definitely in favor of it," Babics said. "I think it adds some different strategic elements. Probably changes us from less pressing to more half-court defense. We shoot the ball incredibly quick so it won't change what we do offensively." "It definitely benefits the teams with better individual players," Holzhauer said. "I've always been against it because I like the idea of underdogs being able to game plan and have a better chance against better opponents. I think the shot clock takes that away. "On the other hand, I do think it could add to the game and be fun to coach." Oberlin's Kurt Russell, Columbia's Josh Scharf, Vermiliom's Kurt Habermehl and Avon Lake's Eric Smith are in favor of it. Lorain's Matt Killean, Midview's Jim Brabenic and Amherst's Pat Bray could go either way. Firelands coach Colin Myers doesn't think it's feasible due to the added expenses. "I don't hate it but I don't think it's possible, especially for smaller schools," he said. "Someone will have to run that end and there's already discrepancies seen at the end of the quarters. It's a lot to ask of schools to find someone to run that clock and ask officials to essentially watch for potential shot-clock buzzer-beaters that often. It's difficult at the high school level because there are no replay capabilities. I just think it's a tough ask for schools and officials." Contact Tim Gebhardt at (440) 329-7135 or timothygeb@msn.com.