Wis. HS basketball game ends 14-11, fuels case for shot clock

Here’s another case study for those arguing in favor of a shot clock in high school basketball.

A Wisconsin high school boys basketball game ended with a 14-11 score last week, with the winning team holding the ball for the final seven minutes before taking a game-winning 3-pointer. Antigo knocked rival Rhinelander from the postseason and, without the use of a shot clock, was able to hold the ball and bleed the clock for much of the game.

Antigo reportedly did the same thing in the first half, holding the ball for more than seven minutes before the break. The halftime score was 5-4.

Here are some thoughts from those on social media:

Rhinelander student section as Antigo holds the ball the final 7 mins. Red Robins hit a 3 at buzzer to win 14-11. pic.twitter.com/tUvQkpYiMj

— Josh Kellner (@maroonsradio) March 7, 2016

Props to Antigo, but can we get a shot clock in prep hoops anyone?
WJFW – Antigo outlasts Rhinelander to win 14-11 https://t.co/4asjV90XbC

— Sam Larson (@S_Larson24) March 7, 2016

That Antigo – Rhinelander game last night is bad for the sport. Held the ball for the last 7 minutes? #ShotClockNeeded

— Brad Koth (@B_Ko24) March 5, 2016

It's not cost effective to have a shot clock but I hope I never witness a game like Antigo vs Rhinelander last night.

— Mark Jandrin (@jandrin48) March 5, 2016

We revisit this debate every year. Teams have used stalling tactics to keep the ball away from a better team, and a lot of times it’s successful. But what’s more important: winning or actually playing the game? The argument boils down to whether stalling tactics are unsportsmanlike and against the spirit of the game.

But implementing a shot clock isn’t as easy as it sounds. We surveyed readers about this debate last year, and many athletic administrators said they would be forced to spend thousands purchasing a new scoreboard and shot clocks — thousands that are not available in their budgets. On top of that, they need reliable individuals to run the clock, which can be tricky.

In our 2015 survey, 79% of coaches said they supported a shot clock at the high school level. Click here to read some of the responses.