The Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) board of directors has voted down a proposal to introduce a 35-second shot clock for high school basketball, dealing a blow to advocates pushing for the change. The decision came during the board's annual meeting on Monday, where the proposal—submitted by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA)—was overwhelmingly rejected by a vote of 17 to 1.

The shot clock has been a hot topic in high school basketball circles, with momentum building in recent years. According to an IBCA survey, 68% of boys' and girls' coaches across Indiana were in favor of the change. However, IHSAA commissioner Paul Neidig noted that feedback from principals and athletic directors told a different story, with the majority opposing the measure. Cost and logistics were key concerns, with Neidig estimating a price tag of roughly $10,000 per school for equipment and additional bench personnel to operate the clock. Officials also raised worries about coordinating resets with the scorer's table.

The proposal would have introduced the shot clock for varsity games only, starting in the 2028-29 season. Currently, 66 high schools in Indiana already have shot clocks installed, but the state is now part of a growing minority without a statewide mandate. For context, 32 states will use a shot clock in some form by the 2025-26 season, up from just 10 before the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) gave states the green light in 2021. Notably, New Jersey approved a similar measure on Monday in a close vote, set to take effect in the 2027-28 school year.

While this year's proposal fell short, the debate is far from over. The IBCA could bring a new proposal before the IHSAA as soon as 2028, and a board member may submit one next year. For now, Indiana high school basketball will continue without the ticking clock, keeping the game's traditional pace—and the conversation around modernization—alive for seasons to come.