THOMASTON — For the past couple of seasons, it has been nothing more than a whisper campaign.
But after Tuesday, spearheaded by a large advocacy group of high school basketball coaches over social media, the Georgia High School Association turned the whispers into full-blown cries of joy approving the use of 30-second shot clocks in future games.
The Executive Committee, in a 53-10 vote, approved a three-year phase-in on the shot clocks. The proposal mandated the shot clocks be used in all varsity games within a three-year phase-in period. The phase-in would occur as follows:
- Year 1 (2020 - 2021): Shot clock used only in approved Holiday Tournaments and Showcase games. Not allowed in region postseason games.
- Year 2 (2021 - 2022): Shot clock used in approved tournaments and showcase games. Also used in region play as a region decision.
- Year 3 (2022 - 2023): Shot clock used in all varsity games including the State Playoffs.
The measure was given a unanimous 6-0 approval by the GHSA’s basketball subcommittee, which then passed it along to the full Executive Committee.
North Hall girls coach Kristi House says the addition of a shot clock is great news.
"I am excited about the shot clock coming to high school basketball," she said. "It will make the game more exciting and favor good offensive execution."
Gainesville boys coach Chuck Graham agreed with House.
"I love it. I think it will help develop our game and develop kids for the next level," he said.
-- Also on the agenda Tuesday, the GHSA approved a second "Dead Week" on the calendar for the Monday through Sunday in which Memorial Day falls each year. The dead week would begin on Memorial Day and last until the following Sunday. The GHSA would begin the new policy on Memorial Day in 2021. The July 4th Dead Week would also change to a Monday through Sunday format in the week in which the Fourth of July falls.
(Check back later for updates on this story.)
