In the mid 1980s Florida high school basketball joined the colleges in catching up with the pros by implementing a 3-point shot.

There are still a few differences like the college court being a little larger and colleges playing 20-minute halves versus 8-minute quarters. However, the biggest difference in Florida is probably the lack of a shot clock at the prep level.

I’ve asked various folks in the know a few times over the years if adding a shot clock is feasible. The primary answer I get is “maybe” with the No. 1 issue being the cost of putting in clocks at each school.

In no way do I think the high school game is in danger of being victimized by antiquated rules like football, where a return man can’t bring a ball out of the end zone (hey, let’s negatively affect playmakers and only reward kickers and punters! That’ll put fannies in the seats!). In fact in most basketball games (boys or girls) I’ve watched this year, I probably can count on one hand the number of times a 35-second clock would have even come into play.

But scores like Jacksonville Arlington Country Day’s 29-27 double overtime (yes, double overtime) district championship victory against Jacksonville Providence last Saturday make me wonder if a little kick wouldn’t hurt.

In fairness, the reporter for the Florida Times-Union, Jeff Elliott, wrote that it was sound defense and not stalling that led to the low score.

Nonetheless, every time a score like that pops up, the shot-clock issue will come into question.

Not only do shot clocks speed up the game, they also allow for more coaching decisions and buzzer-beater scenarios. Would anyone argue that doesn’t add more excitement?