The Oregon High School shot clock era has arrived

Published 3:00 am Friday, November 17, 2023

A new era of high school basketball is upon us — 35-seconds at a time.

After years of discussion, the Oregon School Activities Association approved the use of a shot clock for varsity games beginning this year during the 2023-24 season. The unanimous vote was strongly approved by coaches across the state, a survey found nearly 75% favored the time constraints.

To get ready, local teams have been incorporating the clock into practices as tip-off looms.

“We have it on mostly so it doesn’t feel like a distraction once we start into games,” said Coach Alan Simpson, Gresham girls basketball.

“Our hope is to play an attacking style that doesn’t eat up much time,” Simpson added. “(We want) to make the shot clock an ally on defense by playing sound, intelligent, physical basketball that slows our opponents down.”

The change will be an adjustment for Barlow girls basketball, who perhaps used the open-ended time of possession as a weapon better than any other local team. In the past two seasons, during deep playoff runs, the Bruins were able to uncork a brutal slow-down tactic thanks in large part to now-graduated Kennedie Shuler and Annie Koenig, who were talented dribblers and passers.

“We’ve already been implementing aspects of the shot clock in our open gyms and summer practices,” said Coach Nick Hudson, Barlow girls basketball. “I think it will make more of an impact at the end of a game when playing with a close lead or down in a close game. Those possessions will be a little more challenging, along with the addition of the bonus being gone.”

Another rule change beginning this season is teams will shoot two free throws for common fouls when in the “bonus,” rather than the one-and-one. That makes late fouls more costly for defenses.

Veteran Coach Tom Johnson, Barlow boys basketball, doesn’t see the shot clock as an issue for his talented team that is eyeing a state championship.

“It shouldn’t affect us too much, most teams shoot before 35 seconds,” he said.