Shot clock rule hits Illinois schools with expenses and extra staffing

“It was just a matter of time,” MacArthur athletic director Jason Crutcher said.

A 35-second shot clock will make its debut in Illinois High School Association girls and boys basketball in the 2026-27 season after the IHSA approved it earlier this month.

All varsity boys and girls games will have a shot clock. Usage of the shot clock at the junior varsity, sophomore and freshman levels will be up to the conferences and competing schools to decide.

“The IHSA has allowed the shot clock to be used in tournaments and shootouts the past two seasons, and the overwhelming feedback we have received from coaches is that it is time to embrace the shot clock in all varsity contests,” IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson said in a release. “We believe the two-season lead time will provide our schools with ample opportunity to install the shot clocks and get comfortable with them from both a coaching and game administration perspective.”

School officials are glad they have two years to prepare. There are two main issues schools are facing when it comes to shot clocks — cost of the clock and manpower to run the clock.

A basic shot clock from Daktronics, one of the most common scoreboard operating systems, is $4,139 before shipping or installation according to the company’s website. That also doesn’t include the cost to hire operators for the shot clock in every game.

Cerro Gordo High School got a quote after the ruling to purchase and install shot clocks in two gyms since it will have its Thanksgiving Tournament and have its boys and girls teams both play on the same night. It’ll cost them around $16,000.

But that’s not the biggest concern, according to Cerro Gordo athletic director Brandon Willard.

“From talking to other small schools, it’s hard enough to find people to work the clock as is,” Willard said. “And now we’re going to have to find a qualified person to work the shot clock. And also, during tournaments, we’re going to have to have them do it in both gyms, so we’re going to have two of them. That’s a concern, but obviously, we’ll work through it. We’ll figure it out.”

Conferences with bigger schools could add a fourth official to crews to operate the shot clock, which is what Crutcher said Central State Eight schools are considering.

“There’s more money involved with that — you’re going to pay for four officials instead of three, but you somebody who knows the rules,” Crutcher said. “You don’t want to just have a parent doing it or anything like that. I think that’s the steps we’re going to take.”

Crutcher said MacArthur is also planning to install its shot clocks a year ahead of time to test out operation and installment before it’s a requirement.

Clinton is also considering the fourth official route. All agree finding a good operator will be one of the chief problems for schools to settle.

“I would not be a very good person to run the shot clock,” Clinton coach Vic Binkley said. “I watch the game too much and lose track of: Did it hit the rim? Did (the shot clock) go off before? Did he have his shot off before the buzzer light on the backboard? It has to be somebody who knows the game, and can pay attention. That will be interesting.”

Willard said Cerro Gordo will look to teachers or recent graduates who are familiar with basketball to help out.

“We do believe there will be a learning curve and lots of mistakes made, which is going to kind of chop up the game a little bit,” Willard said. It’s going to be a challenge for everybody.”