By Blake Haas

BLOOMINGTON – High school basketball is underway, and Illinois High School Association members are looking at how some tournaments use the shot clock.

Last year the IHSA board approved a 35-second shot clock for only invitational tournaments and shootouts.

“There (have) been about two dozen events that have used the shot clock so far; there’s going to be another dozen for the remainder of the season. So far, I would say the feedback has been like when we saw when we initially talked to coaches (and) administrators – more support than not. People are enjoying it,” said Kurt Gibson with the IHSA.

According to Gibson, there was limited training once the IHSA enacted the shot clock. However, the organization implemented training videos for officials and board operators.

“It’s still new. There’s many things that need to be sort of worked through, there is some cost to the equipment, and there is cost to have people run the shot clock. And so we’ve been very, and I think rightly so, very conservative in trying to go too fast in going on this because we recognize there are some challenges that some schools will have in bringing this all about.”

The board is looking at implementing the shot clock for regular season games, but the board has yet to make a final decision.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].