HACKETTSTOWN, NJ (Warren County) – Here’s another case study for those arguing in favor of a shot clock in high school basketball.
At the end of the first period, the West Side Roughriders were defeating the Hackettstown Tigers by a score of 10-5. The halftime score was 22-16.
It was during the third period that stirred up the debate over whether shot clocks should be used in New Jersey.
Many parents and students were stunned as a West Side player just held the ball for most of the third period. They would just toss the ball a few times to another teammate and some players even laughed while holding the ball. Spectators on the West Side stands were cheering their team on as they were holding the ball.
It was only with seconds left in the period, West Side shot a 3-pointer and ended the third period with a score of 25-16.
West Side pulled off the 35-23 victory over Hackettstown to win the NJSIAA tournament, semifinal round, North Jersey, section 2, group 2 Friday night.
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.
Some people went to social media with their reactions:
Never seen anything so chicken in my life! https://t.co/aIdnIQkioX
— Robin Raible (@Answer_Grape) March 4, 2017
Or mannequin challenge – Video shows Westside holding ball for entire quarter! pic.twitter.com/U0mHSH0KCU
— Matthew Scanlon (@HHSTIGERS) March 4, 2017
@HHSTIGERS Always Tiger proud! At least our guys showed up to play basketball and not stand around! Ridiculous!
— Teri Cichlar (@KaylaLou5) March 4, 2017
Big congrats to @Tyler_Akers13 @ryangallagher_2 @marcona21 @BallerRojas and Robert Begley great season boys #weknowhowtopass
— weezy (@waynevans07) March 4, 2017
There is a shot clock at all other levels of basketball. Why not New Jersey high school basketball?
What do you think? Should New Jersey adopt the high school basketball shot clock?
In other sports, congratulations to the Hackettstown High School Girls Basketball team on their 50-36 win over the Morris Tech Devils on Friday to advance to the NJSIAA Final Round, North 2, Group 2 Tournament.
The Lady Tigers will take on the Hanover Park Hornets at Hackettstown on Monday, March 6 at 7:00 p.m.
For more Northwest Jersey’s News, tune into 92.7FM, 104.7FM, 1510AM, wrnj.com or on the TuneIn app.
By: Jay Edwards Follow on Twitter | Like on Facebook
(Photos: Jay Edwards/WRNJ)