How the shot clock has affected Shawnee County basketball teams so far

TOPEKA — Two weeks have passed for high school basketball around the state. The biggest question mark this year would be how teams and coaches would react to the implementation of the shot clock.

125 schools participate in a trial that lasts the entire regular season. If a school opts for the trial period, both the boys’ and girls’ varsity teams must play with it.

Four Shawnee County teams added the shot clock with Highland Park, Seaman, Shawnee Heights and Topeka West representing the capital. All United Kansas Conference teams use the shot clock. All but one school uses it in the Meadowlark Conference.

“We’re used to playing fast, so the shot clock is just an added factor,” Highland Park senior guard Mikey Williams said. “It will definitely help the defense because we are used to playing long possessions. Now we have a little reward for being able to stop guys and prevent them from scoring.

There aren’t many teams in the city that play slow-motion basketball. Each team relied heavily on their athleticism and pace to score baskets. The difference is on the defensive side of the ball.

Teams like Topeka West and Highland Park saw their opponents attempt to run down the clock to increase pressure and eliminate the game advantage. This season, this tactic is not useful with only 35 seconds to shoot.

“I feel like it’s definitely in our favor,” Topeka West guard Jalen Foy said. “We like to throw quick shots and we run in transition. We don’t really use the 35 seconds and we can limit the team we’re playing to 35 seconds so we can get the ball.

As with any new rule, some people aren’t fans of it. Shawnee Heights head coach Ken Darting explained that he would prefer not to implement the shot clock. Not because of a basketball project, but he views the trial period through the eyes of an administrator.

“I’m probably against it. I am the biggest fan of the shot clock in the world because it prevents someone from going out and delaying from start to finish. But there are people who don’t understand it and who rule it. Referees watching the shot clock instead of the game, I wish we didn’t do that,” Darting said.

The shot clock trial period will only be in effect for the regular season. It will not be used in the postseason, including the state tournament.

Liam Keating covers high school sports for the Topeka Capital-Journal. Send him stats or information to Lkeating@gannett.com