With the high school basketball season just around the corner, the hot topic of whether or not Texas teams should implement the shot clock is at the forefront of many conversations. By the 2026-27 season, 31 states will have a shot clock in use, however Texas has yet to implement it.
In June, UIL took a look into the issue and decided to delay the implementation due to costs and time necessary to create a clock in every school across the state. Although up for a vote again next year, the question seems to have a large theme based on the size of schools. In a 2023 survey conducted by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches, 86% of the boys and 72% of the girls coaches in 6A were in favor of a shot clock. This contrasts highly with 1A schools where just over 40% supported the idea.
Arguments for the implementation of the shot clock include making the overall game more engaging, improving player development and preparing them for collegiate action, where the rule has been in place for 40 years. Opposing arguments stem mainly from smaller schools feel it balances the game out and gives them more of an opportunity to compete. The price being estimated around $3,000 certainly doesn’t help ease these schools worries either.
As these conversations continue, the season quickly approaches for Lake Travis, with their opening game against Vandegrift scheduled for Friday, November 14th. Although the Cavaliers are experiencing a major roster change since a total of 14 players graduated in 2025, there is reason to believe Brandon Shaver’s squad will surpass last year’s 19-17 season. With a roster built on a culture of discipline and camaraderie, Lake Travis has consistently remained as a contender within a highly competitive 6A district.
In this 3rd year at Lake Travis, Shaver has shown his prowess as a play caller and developer who has found success everywhere he’s been. In his first two seasons at the helm, he has led Lake Travis to a 51-23 overall record, and in a sit down conversation with Coach Shaver, we discussed not only the shot clock dilemma, but the upcoming season overall.
Q: Do you think that Texas should add the shot clock?
A: “I do. I think we need a shot clock. I think it’s something, especially at the 6A level, you know, the five and 6A level, … I think we need to implement that and then kind of see where it goes, maybe pilot that at ours and see how it goes for a year or two… I think we need to have it just for the game of basketball.”
Q: Has any team ever tried to stall or hold the ball?
A: “Yeah, I mean, we get that a lot. I mean, there’ll be some, I mean, we’ll clip them up throughout the year. There’ll be sometimes we have to guard for, you know, two minutes on the possession. You know, it’s hard basketball.”
Q: How long would you say that the shot clock should be?
A: “I think it’d be anywhere between 35 and 40 seconds, you know, to start out with. Even if it was a 40 second shot clock, at least at the end of the game, you still have to play the game… if you have a lead with two or three minutes left, you can’t pull it out, so, at least a 40 second shot clock.”
Q: Do you believe the hesitancy has to do with the money?
A: “I do. I think with some of again, smaller schools don’t have the money and the accounts to be able to do it. But I think, again, if you look at it and you take the five and 6A divisions, I think they have the money, that wouldn’t be an issue to be able to do that, and have somebody to be able to work it.”
Q: What is your favorite thing about coaching at Lake Travis?
A: “You know, the guys, they come in and play so hard. We’re in year three, we’ve set our culture. I think the fun part is just seeing and watching them compete everyday… We have a lot of fun in what we do, but we play extremely hard.”
Q: How do you make up for the production lost from last season?
A: “Last year we played seven guys on varsity. This year, we’re probably going to play 13 or 14. We’re going to have some young guys that step up and play. We’ve got some juniors that have really stepped in. We’ve got a couple move-ins who are going to help us out… by the time we get through our first round, people are going to look at us a little bit differently.”
Q: What is your overall goal for this season?
A: “As far as number goal-wise, I never do that part of it. I look at it for us where we start the season and how well we finish the season. You know, like last year, we didn’t start the season very well, but we ended on a 10- game winning streak. We got better every time we stepped on the floor and I think the same thing for us, you know, for this year. We started putting together stuff in the fall and we got a whole lot better from that first game into that last game. And I think if we can do that, the numbers, the scoreboard and all that stuff will take care of itself. “
Q: What is the most important thing you teach your players on and off the court?
A: “I think on the floor, you’ll hear us say it a lot is our defensive side of things. You have to be able to play defense…. for us, it’s just we can play with anybody if we play our defense the way we know how to play… I think off the floor for us, though, is our chemistry and what we do. And the culture, I know that’s a buzzword, but like as much as we spend off the floor on our guys. And I think for us, it makes us more of a team off the floor so that we can have a better team on the floor.”
Q: Anything else you would like to add?
A: “I’m excited. I think, you know, for us, I think we’re going to be a deeper team, for next year. I think it’s going to be one of those where we’re going to have a chance to put 100 on the board. You know, we’ve scored 70 plus and 80 plus in some league games on 20 minute running clocks… I mean, we’ll have 13, 14 guys that can go play, and it’s going to be exciting, for sure.”
With or without a shot clock, the upcoming Cav season is already setting up to be a success with younger players stepping up, seasoned veterans returning, and Shaver’s unyielding dedication to his players both on and off the court. Make sure you check out their 2025-26 schedule.
