Clark: Shot clock use still being debated in Minnesota

Some people in Minnesota might see the shot clock as a way of speeding up basketball games. Area basketball coaches, however, say having the shot clock has a greater effect than just scoring points.

According to the Minnesota State High School League, schools are not required to use the shot clock. But if they want to use it, they can.

"I kind of like it," said Moorhead girls basketball coach Jim Kapitan, whose team does not use the shot clock. "It really does not affect us much because we have an up-tempo game and we play the Fargo schools a lot where everyone uses it."

Kapitan, who was referring to North Dakota's use of the shot clock, is a believer the shot clock would speed up the game and, to a degree, have a major role in deciding a game.

He presented the idea that if the shot clock was mandatory, it could determine the outcome of a close game. For example, the shot clock would force teams to run plays instead of holding onto the ball while waiting for a foul.

"There are some other dynamics too, there is a cost to it," Kapitan said. "You have to buy the clocks, you have to train a person to run the clocks and you'd have to hire a person to run it, too."

Then there are teams like Barnesville, which doesn't go up against the shot clock during the regular season.

Barnesville boys basketball coach Todd Henrickson said having the shot clock also comes down to schools that have access to it. He said the only time some schools get a chance to use it is during a holiday tournament.

"We had a holiday tournament at Concordia and I was surprised that coaches didn't want to use it," said Henrickson, who has been at Barnesville for 13 years. "Their feeling was that they use holiday tournaments to prepare for the regular season, and if they don't use it during the season, then why use it in a tournament."

For the record, Henrickson said he could go either way in terms of instituting the shot clock. Henrickson added that the shot clock gives the advantage to a more talented team.

His argument is a pretty good one by stating there are teams that don't have all the talent and they rely on ball control.

"People may think of that as boring or not as fun to watch," Henrickson said. "But being able to move the ball and be patient is something to be said within itself."

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Ryan S. Clark at (701) 241-5548 or at rclark@forumcomm.com