The PIAA has approved a shot clock for varsity and junior varsity boys and girls basketball games beginning in the 2028-29 season, and Baldwin coaches and players like it.
Girls basketball Coach Jamal Woodson also owns and coaches Slam basketball, which uses a shot clock. He is in favor of it.
“In bigger tournaments, they put a shot clock in AAU, and the speed of the game is so much faster. It helps get the scores higher,” Woodson said.
The quality of basketball games should improve, he said.
“It’s the best thing ever in life. Basketball in Western Pennsylvania is so slow,” Woodson said. “It’ll help attract fans because players won’t hold the ball so long.”
Currently, Pennsylvania high school basketball players can take as long as they want to take a shot during an offensive possession. Under the new rule, starting in the 2028-29 season, they will have to shoot within 35 seconds. This will help players prepare for college basketball, which has a 30-second shot clock.
“It will get people who want to play in college more ready, considering we don’t have it right now,” freshman Alia Bernotas said.
The PIAA has been discussing this for many years, said Jennifer Grassel, the senior director of Member School Services and Sport for the PIAA.
“Through surveys of member schools and officials, along with continued dialogue with the Basketball Steering Committee and the Board of Directors, the decision was made to implement the shot clock as a natural progression of the game,” Grassel said.
For teams that might have held the ball for a long period of time before taking a shot, the game should move more quickly with this rule.
“The shot clock is expected to enhance the pace of play, encourage continued offensive action, and assist in managing late-game situations by reducing stalling and promoting more consistent game flow,” Grassel said.
Freshman boys basketball player Luke Banderinko, who will be a senior when the rule goes into effect, likes the change.
“I like that the new rule prevents teams from just passing it around and wasting time at the end of the game,” Banderinko said. “There will be a little more sense of urgency, but we mainly get a good shot opportunity in a short amount of time.”
Bernotas also likes the new rule, but she said teams will have to make adjustments.
“We are going to have to go a bit faster,” Bernotas said. “Sometimes you want to hold the ball and take your time, which is what we do now.”
Boys basketball Coach Jeffery Ackermann also likes the new rule.
“We are very excited about the new shot clock rule. I wish we didn’t have to wait two more years,” Ackermann said. “This should make teams play faster and make the game more fun for the fans.”
Like Bernotas, Ackermann believes changes will be made to adapt.
“This will force coaches to become better. We will have to work on having end-of-shock clock sets and be more efficient playing late in possessions,” Ackermann said.
Athletic Director Anthony Cherico thinks the rule will be a helpful change.
“I think it’s a good rule for high school basketball. I think it’s going to change the way the game looks a little bit, and it’s going to be an adjustment for a lot of teams,” Cherico said. “Overall, I think in the long run, it’s going to be good for them.”
