STEVENS POINT — The WIAA’s Basketball Coaches Advisory Committee has advanced several proposals from its April 5th meeting that will navigate through the Association’s rule-making process, including once again proposing a shot clock for high school basketball.

The WIAA Basketball Coaches Advisory Committee proposed and the Board of Control passed a shot clock plan in June of 2017, but after negative feedback from schools and administrators, the Board rescinded that decision. Last year the Coaches Advisory proposed limited use of a shot clock in non-conference games, but the measure was voted down at the Advisory Council level and not presented to the Board of Control for a vote.

The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), which sets playing rules for high school sports, including basketball, voted to allow the use of the shot clock by state adoption in 2021. At that time, eight states already had the shot clock, meaning they were not in compliance with NFHS regulations, and for the 2023-24 school year, that number will now rise to 20 states that have it in some capacity. That includes Arizona and Nebraska, where it is only in larger classes, and South Carolina, which allows it in invitationals and showcases.

Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association surveys of coaches have shown support of the shot clock overall, with the last survey receiving about 62% support at the coach level. However, a WBCA survey in December got responses at the school and administration level, where of 339 respondents, 45.7% favor the shot clock compared to 54.3% against.

The WIAA Basketball Coaches Advisory Committee proposal is to implement a shot clock in the 2025-26 season, utilizing NFHS shot clock regulations. That would include a 35-second shot clock with two visible timepieces in each gym attached to the backboard supports. Unlike the college game, NFHS rules require a full rest of the shot clock on any offensive rebound, though a kicked ball with less than 19 seconds remaining would reset the shot clock to 20 seconds.

Next up for reviewing the shot clock proposal as well as all the other winter sport tournament adjustments is the WIAA’s Sports Advisory Committee, consisting of Athletic Directors, who will provide advisory votes. The Executive Staff will also review and provide advisory votes before it will advance to the WIAA’s Advisory Council on June 20.

Due to a Constitutional change several years ago, the Advisory Council can vote down any proposals, meaning they would not advance to the Board of Control to consider.

If supported at the Advisory Council level, the shot clock and the other proposals would then go to the Board of Control. However, another Constitutional change from a few years ago would add one more step for the shot clock prior to full implementation.

Any season or tournament regulations that add costs to the schools, including the shot clock, must go to the WIAA membership at the Annual meeting for final approval.

If the shot clock was supported at the Advisory Council and Board of Control, it would need to be approved by a simple majority of voting delegates at the next WIAA Annual Meeting in April of 2024.