Consider this enough advance time for area high schools getting ready to have shot clocks installed in their gymnasiums.
The IHSA, after its regularly scheduled Board of Directors meeting on Monday in Bloomington, released expectations and guidelines for the 2026-27 basketball season.
A season that will look different than any other in the state’s history. Because 35-second shot clocks will become part of every varsity boys’ basketball and varsity girls’ basketball game in the state.
The main takeaway from the IHSA guidance? Schools need to make sure they have the proper shot clocks installed and mounted on top of the backboards. Otherwise, a potential forfeit may happen.
The IHSA basketball advisory committee recommended the following rules, which the Board of Directors voted to accept. It reads as follows:
“A school may not host a varsity contest if a shot clock is not installed or is not properly mounted on the backboard in the primary gym in accordance with NFHS rules. The host school must secure an alternate facility or allow the opponent to host the contest. If the host school is unable to secure a gym with functioning shot clocks and the opposing school cannot host, the game shall be forfeited by the home team.”
The buildup to adding shot clocks to high school basketball in Illinois is a long time coming.
The IHSA allowed schools to start using it during the 2022-23 season during shootouts or tournaments, where the host school agreed to do so. In June 2024, the IHSA board voted to use a 35-second shot clock for all varsity games once the 2026-27 season tips off to give schools enough time to plan and install the devices.
The shot clock is optional for lower-level games such as junior varsity, sophomore and freshmen games, but will be a mandatory part of varsity games moving forward. The first day of the 2026-27 girls’ basketball season is Nov. 16, with the first day of the 2026-27 boys’ basketball season on Nov. 23.
“It is important that we provide clear-cut guidelines to our schools on the expectations for the shot clock as we move toward the 2026-27 season,” IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson said in a statement. “We believe our board was forward-thinking in providing significant planning time for schools to prepare for the shot clock. It is imperative that all schools are afforded the same competitive experience and that every student-athlete competes under consistent conditions. By establishing these expectations, schools have had ample opportunity to budget, plan and install the necessary equipment, ensuring an equitable environment.”
Matt Daniels is sports editor at The News-Gazette. His email is mdaniels@news-gazette.com, and you can follow him on Twitter (@mdaniels_NG).
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