PIAA endorses basketball shot clock for 2nd time with final vote ahead

By: Chris Harlan
Wednesday, October 8, 2025 | 10:37 PM

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The PIAA is one step away from adding a shot clock to high school basketball games statewide.

A much-debated proposal to start using the clocks in the 2028-29 season earned a second vote of approval Wednesday when the PIAA board met in Mechanicsburg. The tentative plan must pass a third vote to take effect, which could happen when the board reconvenes in December.

The board moved the process forward this time without opposition, but concerns may linger for some.

When the PIAA basketball steering committee met in late September, PIAA board president Frank Majikes proposed not adding shot clocks in 2028, but his motion failed with an 8-5 vote. The 14-person committee has a representative from each of the 12 PIAA districts, the state rules interpreter and the state coaches’ association.

The WPIAL supports adding the clocks.

“I think the sentiment across the state is that some people are apprehensive, especially in the more rural PIAA districts,” said Peters Township athletic director Brian Geyer, the WPIAL board president. “I believe the urban districts are in favor of it.”

According to minutes from the basketball committee meeting, Majikes “expressed skepticism about the benefits of the shot clock based on statistical data.” Majikes represents PIAA District 2, covering a six-county area that includes Scranton, Wilkes-Barre and Williamsport.

Data cited during the basketball committee meeting Sept. 29 included a New Mexico study that found “the shot clock expired in approximately 5% of possessions over two years, which contributed to (New Mexico Activities Association) decisions against adopting the shot clock.” The PIAA said a study conducted in Michigan “yielded similar results.”

Concerns about equipment cost and training for shot clock operators have remained a deterrent for some school districts. A set of shot clocks cost between $4,000 and $8,000, depending on features and installation methods, PIAA assistant executive director Jen Grassel told the basketball committee.

At least 31 states and Washington, D.C., will use a shot clock in some capacity by the start of the 2026-27 season, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations. The NFHS writes the rulebook used by the PIAA and gave states the option of adopting a 35-second clock starting with the 2022-23 season.

The PIAA had initially shown reluctance, but that changed when a survey earlier this year found 55% of basketball-playing schools statewide favored the shot clock. Support was even stronger in Western Pennsylvania. Of the 99 WPIAL schools that responded, 65 wanted a clock.

“When we looked at it, our membership wants it and the officials (from the WPIAL) want it,” Geyer said. “It’s coming. It’s time.”

The shot clock would be used for varsity and junior varsity games. Junior high school basketball would not have a shot clock.

There was talk this summer of adopting the shot clocks sooner — in 2027 — but allowing a three-year buffer brought more districts on board with the idea.

“People came around with the additional year,” Geyer said. “It gives districts enough time to get equipment installed and also train folks. I think that’s the biggest thing.”

The board meets again Dec. 3.

If the shot clock is adopted, the PIAA has additional decisions to make regarding NFHS-allowed rulebook modifications such as eliminating the “closely guarded” or five-second rule. Other variables include whether to have a partial or full reset of the shot clock after a kicked ball.

The basketball committee last month discussed the idea of a 30-second clock rather than 35, but PIAA executive director Bob Lombardi raised concerns in the meeting about choosing an option not aligned with NFHS guidelines. Lombardi noted that such a decision could limit PIAA’s future influence on the NFHS rules committee.

Maryland public schools use a 30-second clock.

Chris Harlan is a TribLive reporter covering sports. He joined the Trib in 2009 after seven years as a reporter at the Beaver County Times. He can be reached at charlan@triblive.com.