SC high school teams not ready to hang up cleats. Coronavirus puts seasons in doubt
Wilson McCall, Coley Brown and Andre Wilson were all smiles as they left the baseball field at Heathwood Hall.
The Hammond trio hoped that Friday’s game wasn’t the last time they’d suit up for the Skyhawks. But there was plenty of uncertainty following Hammond’s 15-0 win over the Highlanders.
South Carolina’s private schools are taking a break from spring sports competition due to concerns over the spread of the coronavirus. Public schools could follow suit in the coming days.
On Thursday, the S.C. Independent Schools Association announced that it suspended spring sports from March 15 until April 3. Hammond coach Chris Braciszewski called the decision a “gut punch” but also a life lesson for his players.
“There are bigger things,” said Braciszewski, who was a part of four state title teams at AC Flora. “It was a little weird tonight. We had make-shift senior night. Heathwood was gracious enough to do that for us. Hopefully that’s not it, but you never know. It was a special night out here and one you don’t expect in March. It was a little different tonight.”
As professional and college sports shut down for the near future, the state’s high school teams in such sports as baseball, softball, lacrosse and soccer headed into the weekend unsure of what lies ahead for their seasons.
Across town Friday night at the Columbia Fireflies’ Segra Park, Gilbert defeated Lexington 10-4 in a battle of top-10 teams in their classifications. The S.C. High School League could make a decision as early as Monday to put games on hold.
Gilbert coach Ashley Burnett told his team to focus on what they can control and not worry about other things. But it will be hard on seniors if they aren’t able to continue their final high school seasons, he said.
“The toughest part is you hope it doesn’t interrupt their senior season. I’m afraid that it will,” Burnett said. “Hopefully they’re mature enough to handle it.”
An early senior night
Friday’s Heathwood-Hammond baseball game had a different feel than a normal region contest between the two rivals.
“It has been a rough couple weeks in this country,” Heathwood’s public address announcer told the crowd before the game. A prayer followed, and then the national anthem. The two teams opted for elbow bumps instead of handshakes following the game.
Highlanders athletic director Jeff Whalen wanted the Hammond seniors to be honored along with Heathwood’s spring sports seniors — just in case there are no more games.
McCall said his dad’s eyes welled up with tears as he joined his son on the field for the recognition.
“That made me a little upset,” McCall said. “I know I have faith that we are going to play again. I am not doubting that we get another chance.”
As of Friday, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control reported 13 confirmed or presumptive cases of the illness in the state. As hopeful as McCall and the other Hammond seniors are, it’s hard to predict what will happen if the disease continues to spread..
Still, none of the three Hammond seniors expected to be going through senior night ceremonies when the week began.
“If we play again or not, this is a special group and special bond we have,” said Wilson, who signed to play football at Oklahoma Baptist. “We hope we can compete for another state championship if possible.”
What’s next for spring sports?
Both Gilbert and Lexington knew they would play at least one more game. The teams were each set to face Spring Valley at Segra Park as part of a double-header Saturday.
But with a High School League executive committee meeting scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday, the teams expect they could have a fate similar to their SCISA counterparts.
Travis Elliott, a Gilbert senior and winning pitcher Friday night, said he’s trying not to think about it.
“It’s a rough situation,” The Citadel signee said. “It looks like (Saturday) could be our last game. We’ll just try to come out and play like we did today and try not to think about it too much.”
At one point Friday, the third base umpire carried on a lengthy conversation with coach Burnett on what he’s expecting Monday. Umpires also would be in limbo with a suspension or cancellation of the season.
The Gilbert and Lexington coaches, who are good friends off the baseball field, exchanged pleasantries after the game with handshakes and hugs. Their players passed on the normal handshake line on the advisement of the school district.
“I told them that we coach you to be resilient and to overcome things, and this is another obstacle you’ve been preparing for,” Lexington coach Brian Hucks said. “It’s not something we can control. We’ll play (Saturday) then we’ll figure out the next step when the next step happens. That’s where we are.”
Schools in Kershaw and Lancaster counties already closed for two weeks because of the number of coronavirus cases there. But other school districts in the state haven’t followed suit. Even if the season is suspended Monday, teams are hopeful they can continue to practice.
“My understanding is, as long as we have school, we can practice. But at this point everything is hearsay,” Burnett said.
SCISA is allowing its teams to practice as long as school remains open. Hammond plans to set up a “world series” between its players that will include a draft and start Monday. The Skyhawks are the defending SCISA Class 3A champions and are off to a 7-0 start.
“We are playing really well right now so that is a little thing that is upsetting,” Braciszewski said. “But it is part of life and a good life lesson for these guys. None of us has experienced this. I am learning along with them. We are just rolling with the punches and it is out of our control.”
This story was originally published March 14, 2020 at 6:45 AM.
