Georgia high school basketball saw a historic first Friday at the Hawks-Naismith Tipoff Classic, where the Georgia High School Association approved the experimental use of a 30-second shot clock.
Currently just eight states – New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Washington, California, Maryland, North Dakota and South Dakota – use shot clocks in high school games.
The Tipoff Classic, which runs from Nov. 15-16 at Pace Academy (Atlanta), is the first of six events that will implement the shot clock this season.
“I am excited beyond belief about the progressive and collaborative efforts from both the Atlanta Hawks and The Atlanta Tipoff Club to implement a shot clock during the Hawks-Naismith Tipoff Classic,” said ESPN national recruiting director for basketball Paul Biancardi, whose comments were reported by USA Today. “After coaching college basketball for more than 20 years, I am thrilled to see this premier event make this change on behalf of the players, coaches and fans. The high school game is moving towards a national shot clock. In the meantime, I believe that the rest of the country will model this concept.”
Pace Academy coach Sharman White, whose team will host and participate in the event, ssaid he doesn’t anticipate the shot clock being an issue.
“I’m confident that our guys will be ready because they’re used to it,” said White. “I love it. I think it’s a move in the right direction for Georgia and even the country.”
