The South Dakota High School Activities Association will keep shot clocks in class A basketball. Citizens voiced complaints and support for the shot clock system scheduled for the start of next season. Most of the opposition says it’s because of the costs. Don Hansen is a Sales Rep for Daktronics and he says for some, shot clocks can cost a bit more than what finances might allow.
"Per set of clock shots, in the $2000-$5000 range. Depending on what kind of equipment they put in, how sophisticated it is, the look and those types of elements," Hansen says. "You might include, some want just shot clock, some want shot and gametime, some want shot clock and gametime and end of period lights. And then some are putting end of period lights that aren’t putting in shot clocks."
Those in favor of shot clocks say they prevent some teams from hanging onto the basketball for an extended period of time. The Activities Association board also is presenting guidelines to help determine what venues can host major state events. These include state tournaments for a wide range of high school athletics. Activities Association officials hope to make the guidelines available to the public soon.