Shot clock usage on the rise for AHSAA hoops in the future:

Area tourneys for 2026 will be optional for using a shot clock:

GDW Analysis:
  MONTGOMERY: In two years, postseason play in AHSAA basketball will include usage of shot clocks.
The AHSAA basketball committee voted to bring in the shot clock format for the regional and Final Four round of the playoffs in 2026/27.
Currently, the committee has it where the shot clock can be implemented in area tournament play. That has to be agreed on by all schools in each respective area in preseason meetings during the fall.
According to information provided by the AHSAA, the shot clock will be 35 seconds and will reset in the frontcourt to 25 seconds.
The shot clock was used in the recent AHSAA all star games from the Cramton Bowl Multiplex.

 Gameday Weekly was there as little if any shot clock violations took place.
Cullman High School is the first local program to have used the shot clock. They did in a series of games last season at Bearcat Arena, excluding their area games vs. Jasper and Mortimer Jordan.
West Point is the first of the county schools to have shot clocks placed above the baskets at Jim Boyd Gymnasium.
The Alabama Association of Basketball Coaches (AABC) conducted a survey through its Twitter page earlier this week.
From Class 5A to 7A, 87 percent was in favor of installation of the shot clock. The girls programs voted for it at 78 percent and the varsity with 95 percent wanting it to come into future play.

 The AABC was waiting to get a final tally by the lower classes, 1A through 4A. Eighty four percent in Class 4A took part according to a Twitter statement by the AABC.
Insight from Gameday Weekly:
  Some teams that Gameday Weekly follow regularly, play a good tempo style with the shot clock really to be a no factor.

 Stu Stuedeman of Cullman and Drew Adams now at Cold Springs endures creating a game to their pace. Mason Voce of West Point is in the similar point as is Thomas Ganus at Fairview.
New Good Hope coach Griffin Morris will want to have the Raiders to display the same standards as they did under Adams.

 Tim Willoughby at Holly Pond and Stephen Chandler at Hanceville utilize the set up theory for their teams based on strengths they have and overcome areas of concern in being aggressive on attacking the opponent.
James Brown now the leader at Vinemont is like Willoughby and Chandler, working with a group that will be more mature in 2025/26 and take advantage of opportunities.

 Girls' teams like Good Hope have weapons to present an up tempo pace with Justin Aby punching the buttons.. West Point is a replica from the personnel the Lady Warriors have a different positions heading into 2025/26 for John Welborn.

 Now at Cullman, Tammy West will seek the best based on the strength of her squad, the frontline to score at will and often.
Cold Springs' Paige Adams has a variety of scoring from the top, wings and inside.
Balance play with Mary Hartline at Holly Pond and Chris Nichols at Fairview will be what the two coaches look for next season. Both have scoring skills at different locations on the floor.

 Emily Willoughby in her 2nd season with Vinemont has experience in three returning starters that can score and working in a pattern for depth to a team that won a school record 22 games last season.

 GDW will be visiting with the local basketball coaches down the road to see when shot clocks will be added to their respective facilities.

 Photo of Mason Voce and the West Point Warriors in a playday June 3 from Jim Boyd Gymnasium. West Point is the only county school with shot clocks installed above the baskets.
GDW photo by Johnny Thornton.