Shot clock popularity grows, but not in Louisiana

By Ron Brocato, Sports
Clarion Herald


One thought comes to mind as the 2023-24 high school basketball season tips off: How much longer will it be before LHSAA schools begin to use a shot clock?

The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) approved a 35-second shot clock for high school basketball, starting with the 2022-23 season. Eight state associations quickly adopted it.

Today, 27 states utilize a shot clock in some capacity. One, however, is not Louisiana.

Proponents claim it will eliminate stalling tactics, make a game more entertaining and help student participants get to the next level. Opponents counter with a concern that fundamentals will be lost among a frenetic pace that can lead to sloppy play.

So, why isn’t Louisiana jumping on board as its popularity grows?

Although such a rule would better prepare high school athletes for competition at the college level (for the few who make it that far), this rule change would come at a cost.

High school gymnasiums would have to be retooled to include electronically controlled shot clocks, and a second official scorer would have to man the device at the scorer’s table.

It’s just not cost effective for the majority of the state’s more than 400 schools that have basketball programs to shell out additional money above the cost of officials.

But prep basketball fans are already seeing one significant change: after four fouls per period, all free throws will be two shots. There will be no more 1-and-1 freebies. And, if the foul occurs on a made field goal, one free throw will be shot, as the rule currently states.

Assessing early action

The new season is underway, and as the area’s Catholic schools go, the early power ratings show few reasons to save up for a week in Lake Charles or Hammond for the state tournaments.

The District 9-5A favorite thus far is St. Augustine. Although the Purple Knights are not back in their reconstructed gym yet, they have truly become road warriors, having won their first six games by an average score of 73 points to 44. Yet, they rank No. 11 in the power ratings, one spot below Catholic League mate Jesuit (6-1). The two will meet at Jesuit on Jan. 13.

Brother Martin (4-3 as of the first week in December) sits at No. 15, followed by a greatly improved Archbishop Rummel (4-3) and Holy Cross (4-1). John Curtis and Edna Karr are Nos. 21 and 22, respectively.

St. Paul’s (4-2) of District 6-5A holds the No. 16 seed in the early standings, but it is the only select school in its district. Victories over higher seeds Mandeville, Ponchatoula, Slidell and Fontainebleau would propel the Wolves into a higher seed.

Among archdiocesan schools in other divisions, Archbishop Shaw, winner of its first five games, is among the top five seeds in Division II select.

It’s difficult to get a handle on the girls’ Catholic schools teams, except to say that Archbishop Chapelle has made the greatest strides since Mike Kraj­cer Jr. took over the program a few years ago.

Record-wise, St. Scholastica has started with a 4-2 record, but it’s at No. 21 in the early select Division I ratings. But that’s ahead of a young Dominican squad that is void of seniors, and Mount Carmel.

Cabrini and Archbishop Hannan could be in the playoff conversation among Division II coaches.

And early surprises (at least on paper) are Cabrini, Academy of the Sacred Heart and Academy of Our Lady, all ranked in the top 12.

The select schools’ playoff brackets will include the 24 highest seeds in each of four divisions. The top 12 will play host in the first round. The boys tip off their bi-district playoff round on Feb. 23, with the state tournament set for March 4-7 at Burton Coliseum in Lake Charles.

The girls’ playoffs begin on Feb. 15, with the championship tournament scheduled for Feb. 26-March 15 at Southeastern Louisiana University.