In Oklahoma City, the historic Jim Norick Arena, a venue for state basketball tournaments since 1966, is set to be demolished following this yearโs championships. However, as this chapter closes, a long-standing basketball tradition in Oklahoma will continue: the absence of shot clocks in high school games. This allows teams to strategically hold the ball for as long as they wish, controlling the pace of play.
During recent quarterfinal matchups, Lincoln Christianโs girlsโ team took only 14 shots in the second half of their win, while teams such as Locust Grove and Kingfisher each attempted just 37 shots. Despite national trends moving towards the use of shot clocksโwith 21 states and Washington, D.C., planning to implement them by the 2026-27 seasonโOklahoma remains among the states abstaining from this change. In a close vote by the Secondary School Activities Association, Oklahoma dismissed the idea of shot clocks. This decision came under scrutiny, especially after a 4-2 game between Weatherford and Anadarko ignited debate.
While some coaches argue that the discipline required under current rules benefits players by teaching game control, others advocate for the adoption of shot clocks. Lateshia Woods, coach of the high-scoring Oklahoma City Douglass girls team, contends that modernizing the game to include shot clocks is crucial for player development, especially for those pursuing college basketball. โThe game has elevated,โ Woods remarked, emphasizing the necessity of preparing athletes for higher levels of competition.
A historical perspective highlights the drastic impact lack of shot clocks can have on game strategies. The storied 1954 victory of Milan High School over Muncie Central, which inspired the film โHoosiers,โ saw intentional stalling tactics, with Bobby Plump, the real-life counterpart of Jimmy Chitwood, holding the ball for extended periods.
Todayโs teams rarely employ such extreme measures, but introducing a shot clock would eliminate any possibility of such tactics. Oklahomaโs players often adjust to shot clock conditions in summer leagues to prepare for scouting by coaches like Jennie Baranczyk from the University of Oklahoma. Baranczyk supports using shot clocks to encourage more dynamic play and to provide extra opportunities for possession.
High school coach Joe Adkins, whose Grind Prep team plays with a 24-second shot clock in out-of-state games, highlights benefits like increased pace and entertainment value. Back in Oklahoma, where games lack shot clocks, the number of game possessions sometimes drops significantly.
Woodsโ team, the Douglass Trojanettes, plays with an aggressive style, even when not pressed by a shot clock. โWe want to speed it up,โ Woods asserts, indicating the evolution of womenโs basketball toward faster, more dynamic play.
Scott Lowe, a coach at Fort Gibson, recalls implementing a shot clock during practice to improve team execution and mental agility. โWe found that it helped us develop mentally,โ he said. Although shot clocks might not always favor teams with large leads, they are seen as beneficial overall. Lowe believes it is only a matter of time before Oklahoma aligns with other states in adopting this change.
Adkins suggests that while Oklahomaโs shift to using shot clocks will require adjustments, the stateโs focus on fundamentally sound and disciplined coaching will ease the transition. โYouโre going to have to live with some of those quicker shots,โ he noted, confident that the well-taught Oklahoma players will adapt successfully.