Coaches and athletic administrators in Bloomington-Normal seem to generally support the move to a shot clock for Illinois high school basketball, but some are raising concerns about staffing and costs.
The Illinois High School Association [IHSA] this week announced the addition of a 35-second shot clock for varsity boys and girls basketball, starting with the 2026-27 school year.
The Bloomington-based IHSA thinks the move will enhance the game experience for players, coaches, and fans.
“I was getting a little frustrated. A state like Nebraska had it and the Dakotas are getting it and it’s like c’mon,” said veteran Normal Community boys basketball coach Dave Witzig. “Illinois has a great basketball tradition. It’s just time to do that.”
Tony Bauman, athletic director at Bloomington High School, said the time is took to approve the shot clock shows the IHSA gave it considerable thought.
“This hasn’t been something that's been a rushed decision, I think they’ve done their research… the colleges use it, so I think it’s appropriate for high school to use it as well,” he said.
This decision follows two seasons of using the shot clock in tournaments and shootouts, where it received positive feedback from coaches.
Bauman also highlighted the need for training and adjustment, acknowledging the challenges that come with implementing the shot clock. “I think especially late in games, you might see some tactical decisions change a little bit,” he said.
Davis Dossett, athletic director at Cornerstone Christian Academy in Bloomington, agreed the shot clock will ultimately benefit the game and players as well.
“A shot clock is more entertaining and a better, more equal way of playing. We’ve all seen the tournament games where one high school team holds onto the ball the whole quarter length. Those games aren’t fun or exciting, they point to the need for a shot clock” Dossett said.
That said, Dossett is aware of the financial hurdles that will be brought along with them, especially for smaller schools. They range from purchasing of the shot clocks to being understaffed, and also staff being underpaid.
“The purchase of the shot clock is not cheap, it's several thousand dollar," he said. "The people willing to staff the games are at a shortage statewide, and the payment of those people as well is another big statewide hurdle. Athletic departments aren’t fully made of money, we have to make sure to use those financial obligations in the right way.”
Dossett said Cornerstone won't face added costs because a donor already paid for two shot clocks for the school. He said Cornerstone also relies on volunteers for game operations including clock operators, though he said Cornerstone might need a bigger bench to include a shot clock operator.
Witzig compares the addition of the shot clock with a major rule change that happened when he was a student-athlete at Morton High School in 1987 — the addition of the three-point shot. He said it took time for players and coaches to adjust, but it didn’t cause the problems that some critics feared.
“It was a great addition and we all agree it makes it fun and it gives different teams a chance, and I think the shot clock will do that, too,” he said.
