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TSSAA shot clock causes logistical concerns for some schools
TSSAA shot clock causes logistical concerns for some schools
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — A historic move by the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) will bring a shot clock to high school basketball across the state, causing logistical concerns for some local schools.
High school basketball in Tennessee is about to see big changes with the addition of a 35-second shot clock. You’ll see it in holiday tournament games this upcoming season, with the goal of making it mandatory by the 2029-2030 season.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBristol, TN City Schools Athletic Director Blaine Brown told News Channel 11 that he is all about the shot clock
“Jubilation. Ecstatic. If anyone who has been around me during a high school basketball game, they know how I feel about no shot clock,” Brown said. “I would continually say it’s the worst thing about high school basketball is not having a shot clock.”
Other schools, like Unaka High School, have logistical concerns about implementing the clock.
Unaka’s athletic director, Wes Wright, had this to say about the shot clock in a statement to News Channel 11.
“Unaka has a small score table, and they would have to fit another person at the table and get them trained on the shot clock. Maintenance staff will also have to install the clocks, and a decision will need to be made on where to place them.”
-Unaka High School Athletic Director Wes Wright
It is also unclear whether the school or the school board will have to pay for the shot clock, which costs between $3,000 and $9,000, which Wright told News Channel 11 is significant for Unaka.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDavid Crockett High School’s boys basketball head coach, Sam Tarlton, told News Channel 11 in a statement that he is for the shot clock, but understands the financial concerns.
“Beyond equipment, game personnel will need training, and some schools may need to add or compensate dedicated shot clock operators. While those costs are real, I think schools and athletic departments will work together to find ways to implement the change successfully.”
David Crockett High School boys basketball head coach, Sam tarlton
The change will also affect tournaments like the Hardee’s Classic at David Crockett and the Classic at Tennessee High School.
Brown told News Channel 11 that the biggest complaint from teams visiting The Classic is that the shot clock wasn’t in place.
“The feedback that we get when we talk to teams that come in from out of town, the one thing that is pretty much unanimous across the board from coaches is shot clock. What could we do to make the tournament better? And it’s pretty much unanimous. The shot clock,” Brown said.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWright told News Channel 11 that Unaka will have the shot clock by the 2029-2030 season when it becomes mandatory.
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