PIAA sets timer on shot clock, moving one step closer to adoption for 2028-29 season
The PIAA board of directors voted Wednesday on a first reading to adopt a 35-second shot clock in basketball for the 2028-29 season.
The vote, 22-9, advances a proposal for a topic that has drawn debate for years. The proposal must pass two more readings before being adopted. The next board meeting is in September.
Adopting the shot clock would bring Pennsylvania high school hoops in line with the National Federation of High School Athletic Associations, which sets the rules for prep sports, and 31 states and Washington, D.C.
It’s a bit of a 180 for the PIAA, which in June voted against a shot clock ahead of this season. But a statewide survey of member schools found 55% of respondents favored a shot clock.
Butler girls basketball coach Mark Maier said in June both Tornado programs are in favor of a shot clock.
“I think it would be higher scoring, it’ll improve offenses,” Maier said at the time. “I know how I coach, if we have a lead with four minutes to go ... we’re not taking a shot, and that’s boring.”
The PIAA’s proposal calls for the shot clock to be used in varsity and junior varsity games, but not junior high.
School districts will have to budget for the timing systems that can cost a few thousand dollars, as well as paying someone to run the clock each game. Cost had been a point of contention for years.
