Tornado alters schedule and venues for North Central High School athletic teams
North Central basketball and wrestling teams will play the rest of this season’s home games at different venues because of a tornado that damaged the school on Saturday, according to athletic director Tyronne Drakeford.
The Knights’ home varsity basketball games will be played at City Arena in Camden and JV games will be at North Central Middle School. Tuesday’s scheduled home basketball games were moved to Lee Central and the Feb. 6 game against Lee Central will be played at City Arena in Camden.
The basketball teams will practice at the elementary or middle schools on non game days. Drakeford told The State in a phone interview Tuesday that locations are still being worked out for the school’s wrestling team. North Central was scheduled to host the region and upper state wrestling championships in late February.
It is open season for spring sports, which means teams can practice for 20 days leading up to the start of the season next month. Knights’ baseball, softball and soccer teams will hold offseason workouts at county’s recreation fields. Drakeford said it is likely teams will have to play all of their games on the road this season because of the damages to the school’s athletic complex.
“Everything has worked smoothly so far,” said Drakeford, the school’s football coach and a former San Francisco 49ers cornerback. “The local parks and recreation fields have stepped up and offered a place for our teams to practice. Luckily, we are able to use a middle school and City of Camden Arena have opened their doors to us.
“Everyone has rallied together and brought togetherness in the school. Teachers are helping each other out so they can try and get things going.”
Tornado causes significant damage to school
Some classrooms suffered significant damage, while others were mostly untouched. School district officials were working to salvage technology such as Smartboards, but the full extent of the loss is not yet known.
Some stands at the school’s football stadium collapsed in the storm. Drakeford said the remaining stands will have to be torn down and rebuilt. He hopes it can be done by the start of football season in August.
In the meantime, Drakeford is in the process of finding a place and equipment for the football team to lift weights in the offseason.
Monday and Tuesday were previously scheduled teacher workdays for North Central. Classes resume Wednesday at the county’s vocational school, which is empty.
On Tuesday, the school posted on the district’s website a list of needed school supplies and other items. Lugoff Elementary, Camden Elementary and Midway are hosting school supplies drives and other schools around the Midlands and state also are offering assistance.
Drakeford said he appreciated the support from coaches and athletic departments around the state.
“It is unbelievable,” Drakeford said. “Athletic directors from Class 5A to Class A schools have reached out, many of which I have never spoken to or met. It gives me a sense that South Carolina High School Athletics really support each other.
“Everyone wants to help and see that they can do even if they aren’t able to do anything right now.
North Central varsity home basketball schedule
Jan. 21 vs. Buford (City Arena in Camden)
Jan. 24 vs. Andrew Jackson (City Arena in Camden)
Jan. 28 vs. York Prep (City Arena Camden)
Feb. 7 vs. Lee Central (City Arena in Camden)
Feb. 11 vs. Lewisville (City Arena in Camden)
Feb. 12 vs. Camden Military (City Arena Camden)
