IHSA OKs 35-second shot clock for basketball starting in 2026-27

When the clock strikes early this year, it will bring with it a new rule to Illinois high school basketball.

The Illinois High School Association said on Tuesday morning that Boys and Girls varsity basketball games will start implementing a 35-second shot clock starting the 2026-27 academic season.

This follows particularly years of debate, as well as the use of shot clocks in experiment for some of the competitions.

In the past two seasons the IHSA has permitted the use of shot clock in tournaments and shootouts where it made a solid evaluation of the shot clock while concluding that “it was time for the shot clock to be incorporated into all varsity games,” IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson said in press release. “The two seasons, we think, will suffice to see most of our schools installing the shot clocks and getting used to them from the coaches and administrative officials’ view of the field.

They will be used in varsity girls and boys basketball games with the fifty seven seconds shot clock that has been reduced to thirty five seconds. High school shot clock: freshman, sophomore and junior varsity; The shot clock is to be used in the regular season with conference approval, and for any non-conference game, usage is to be mutually agreed by battling teams.

Initially in 2022, the IHSA sanctioned the shot clock as experimental in regular season tournaments and shootouts for the following year 2022/2023 academic year.

Two athletic directors from area high schools with close connection to basketball expressed opinions on the trial-use move at that time when it was pulled off.

Chris Kusnerick, the Alton High athletic director and an erstwhile head basketball coach at Collinsville said Alton feature shots clocks in one part of AHS and in a planned main gym where they are already.

 “When we constructed a new auxiliary gym” Kusnerick stated, “We actually had shot clocks put in during construction when we heard that the use of shot clock was just around the corner for high school play. ”

Former Roxana High AD and boys basketball coach Mark Briggs said at the time of the initial approval that the move for shot clocks in Illinois prep basketball had not been well received overall, but there were supporters of the change.

”The remaining feedbacks from the coaches was not overwhelming which in a way tilted the change to making the decision …” The end. “It will definitely create a lot of good debate I am talking about cash along with performers of your shot clock but in addition potential improvement to the game. ”

This decision on shot-clock was concluded by the IHSA Board of Directors during the on-going monthly meeting in Bloomington on Monday.

Also, a new state basketball tournament final time schedule that will see teams having a valuable feel of at least two days.

“I have received no stri347e or disrespect from the Illinois high school basketball community on this format change; in fact, it has been pretty well received all through the state saying more success to the single weekend format,” Anderson stated. “There is no doubt that our coaches think it will offer everyone a much better experience this way, for all the student-athlets, the coaches and the fans. "