The debate over adding a shot clock to Indiana high school basketball may have cooled for now, but don't expect it to disappear. The IHSAA board recently voted 17-1 against implementing a 35-second shot clock for varsity games, leaving Indiana among the holdout states—along with Ohio and North Carolina—as 32 states have already embraced the change.

But according to Bloomington-area coaches, it's not a matter of if the shot clock arrives, but when. A statewide poll showed 68% of coaches in favor, compared to just 24% of administrators, highlighting a clear divide. As the game continues to evolve—just like the introduction of the 3-point line and the elimination of the 1-and-1 free throw rule—the shot clock seems inevitable.

Eastern Greene boys coach Jamie Hudson is among those who see the benefits. "I like it," he said, drawing on experience coaching his daughters' AAU teams. "As a defensive guy, I like a 35-40-second shot clock. It rewards the defense, and you've got to keep playing." His daughter Keylee, now a college player at Indiana University-South Bend, agrees. "She loves it," Jamie added. "She says the pace is so much better."

Hudson believes younger players are ready for the change, especially those with AAU experience. "I think the kids play harder when there's a shot clock," he said. "If you can play defense for 35 seconds, it's a turnover and a big momentum swing. They see the college game, and they want to play that way."

Lighthouse Christian boys coach Kyle Hankins, who played and coached at the college level, is also familiar with the faster tempo. While opinions vary, the momentum toward a shot clock in Indiana high school basketball seems to be building—one possession at a time.