Alabama high school basketball to add shot clock and mercy rule ahead of 2026-27 season

After a long wait, the shot clock is finally coming to Alabama high school basketball . After months of delay and postponing the vote, the Alabama High School Athletic Association's Central Board of Control voted to approve to implement the shot clock for the 2026-27 season. AHSAA executive director Heath Harmon and the CBOC went into detail about the requirements when it came to the number of shot clocks and where the locations are to be.

The shot clock would start at 35 seconds and reset at 25 seconds. The requirements would be two shot clocks either mounted on the goals, or on a wall in the gym on both sides to be visible by both teams. The votes won't become official until the CBOC meeting is over, but it was approved by the board members.

For coaches around the state, this is something that many have been waiting on like six-time defending Class 7A state champion Krystal Johnson from Hoover. In 2024, the Alabama Association of Basketball Coaches posted a survey in which that 71% of the coaches in the state approved of the shot clock. "Amen, Yes I'm definitely in favor," Johnson said during the regional tournament.

"Our players want to play in college and it prepares them for college. You got to learn how to make decisions on the fly. Like yes.