Column: PHS/Lee game showcased need for high school shot clock

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December 11, 2010

BY JUSTIN RAINS Palestine Herald-Press The Palestine Herald-Press Sat Dec 11, 2010, 09:48 PM CST

PALESTINE — I’ve never been a big “let’s change the rules to how I want them to be,” kind of guy.

The way I figure it, people who know way more than me — we hope, at least — decide on the rules for sports from the high school level all the way to the pro games.

For instance, I’m not one of those people hollering to the heavens because the NFL changed its stance on helmet-to-helmet hits. It is what it is.

That being said, I’ve got to ask the University Interscholastic League (UIL) a question:

Why does high school basketball not have a shot clock?

To illustrate my point, I point no farther away than Palestine High School and Friday’s nights game between the Palestine girls’ basketball team and Robert E. Lee High School out of Tyler.

After a lopsided first quarter, Palestine clawed its way back into the game to make it close and at one point even took a lead.

But, Lee eventually pulled slightly away yet again.

Then, with just under four minutes left to play, it happened.

Lee’s point guard, a terrific player named Bre Brooks, brought the ball up the court, stopped just inside the halfcourt line by the scores table and picked up the ball. Picked it up.

Other Lee players went to their positions, one in the opposite corner and one at the circle in the middle of the floor.

Why were they doing this? Because high school basketball doesn’t have a shot clock, and so they could stand there and force Palestine to have to play up close to try and force a turnover or five second call.

It’s not a bad strategy and I don’t find fault with what Lee’s coach or players did. It’s within the rules of the game, so why not, right?

My problem is that its allowed to happen. With a shot clock it wouldn’t.

In high school football, there’s a play clock that ticks off the amount of time the offense has to get a play off before being penalized.

Basketball’s version of the play clock is the shot clock, and I’ve never understood why the high school game hasn’t implemented it.

A shot clock hurts no one. It would speed up the pace of games, arguably increase the entertainment value of those games because timed possessions mean more shots and more shots mean more scoring, and it would stop teams from being able to hold on to the ball and look around while seconds tick off in an otherwise competitive game.

I’m sure someone could find reasons that implementing the shot clock is a bad idea. Me personally, I don’t see any.

What I do see is a chance for the UIL to increase both the entertainment value and the competitiveness of its game, especially in late game situations.

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Sports Editor Justin Rains can be reached via e-mail at jrains@palestineherald.com, or by phone at 903-729-0281 ext. 242.

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