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Chattanooga coaches react to TSSAA adding shot clock: ‘It’s about time’

Staff photo by Larry Sullivan II / Chattanooga Prep's Reid Conley makes a layup during the TSSAA Region 2-2A tournament title game against Tellico Plains on March 5. The TSSAA will begin to implement a 35-second shot clock during the 2026-27 basketball season, with plans for the device to be fully implemented across the state by the 2029-30 season.
Staff photo by Larry Sullivan II / Chattanooga Prep's Reid Conley makes a layup during the TSSAA Region 2-2A tournament title game against Tellico Plains on March 5. The TSSAA will begin to implement a 35-second shot clock during the 2026-27 basketball season, with plans for the device to be fully implemented across the state by the 2029-30 season. Staff photo by Larry Sullivan II / Chattanooga Prep's Reid Conley makes a layup during the TSSAA Region 2-2A tournament title game against Tellico Plains on March 5. The TSSAA will begin to implement a 35-second shot clock during the 2026-27 basketball season, with plans for the device to be fully implemented across the state by the 2029-30 season.

By Patrick MacCoon 4 min read

The shot clock will be implemented into Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association basketball games starting in the 2026-27 season.

For at least a couple of area coaches, it was cause for celebration.

On Tuesday, by an 8-4 vote during its summer meeting in Mt. Juliet, the TSSAA Board of Control approved a four-year phased implementation of a 35-second shot clock. The plan is for a full implementation of shot clocks across the Volunteer State by the 2029-30 school year.

Tennessee becomes the 33rd state in which the main high school athletic association had added a shot clock. The 35-second shot clock will start after a change of possession or an offensive rebound.

“It’s about time,” said Chattanooga Prep coach Christian Collins, whose Sentinels made history this year by becoming the first boys’ basketball team in city history to win three straight TSSAA state championships. “I am excited about TSSAA finally implementing the 35-second shot clock.