What’s next for sports teams as SC schools stay closed through April?
Reality is starting to set in for many high school coaches and players throughout South Carolina.
Coaches and athletes had been holding out hope that they would be able to resume their spring sports season. That seems unlikely now after S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster’s announcement Tuesday that public schools will remain closed until April 30 because of the spread of the coronavirus.
The S.C. High School League announced March 16 that spring sports would be suspended until at least April 6. With schools out, however, there can be no games or practices until at least the end of April.
The SCHSL will go ahead with a planned conference call April 2 to talk about the fate of spring sports.
The was no official update regarding spring sports from the S.C. Independent Schools Association, which governs the state’s private schools. Those SCISA schools, however, are also out through April.
Some states, including Kansas and Virginia, have already declared their spring sports seasons over because school has been canceled for the year.
The number of COVID-19 cases in South Carolina surged past 400 on Wednesday.
“I think at some point you’ve got to accept it,” Blythewood baseball coach Banks Faulkner said. “These cases aren’t going to level off anytime soon. You sort of saw it coming but I was trying to be optimistic. They had a thing for our seniors when we played in Greenville at Flour Field (March 14) but I was hoping we would just be gone for two weeks and making myself believe it.
“Nothing like this ever happened before, so we are in uncharted territory. The only way something could be done is if they would extend the school year until June.”
SCHSL commissioner Jerome Singleton said playing into June would be a possibility if schools remained open. But there is no guarantee that students will return to classes at all this year.
“We must continue the suspension of athletics not only as a necessary safety measure but to fully comply with the Governor’s Executive Order,” Singleton said Wednesday in a statement. “... It saddens me to say at this time, there is not a prediction on when middle and high school athletics will resume.”
In the meantime, coaches and players are trying to stay busy with school and other things. Faulkner said he has painted several rooms in his house. Most stay active on social media posting pictures and memories of their teams.
“It’s very heartbreaking. I hate it for all my players but especially my seniors,” Lexington baseball. coach Brian Hucks said. “There are things more important than sports, but for many of us it’s about the relationships we build through sports that are so meaningful. I normally spend four-plus hours a day, six days a week with my guys and I miss them way more than I miss baseball. We will get through this, but it’s very tough.”
It’s also tough for the underclassman despite having more time left in high school. A.C. Flora baseball sophomore Jack Reynolds spent some of Tuesday working out at Athlete’s Arena, trying to stay in shape just in case there’s a chance to resume play this season.
“I will definitely be upset but I know there is nothing I can do about it,” said Reynolds, a South Carolina commit. “I will cherish my memories with my teammates, my coaches and use my energy in a positive way to get better.”
A.C. Flora began the season ranked No. 1 in Class 4A and was one of the favorites to win a state title. It was shaping up to be a big year for Midlands schools with teams contenders for baseball, softball, boys tennis, lacrosse, boys golf and track & field.
Faulkner’s Blythewood team was one of those teams in contention. The Bengals came a win away from winning last year’s Class 5A state championship before losing to Dutch Fork in the deciding game of the series at Segra Park.
Blythewood began the season ranked No. 2 behind Chapin in the S.C. Baseball Coaches preseason polls and was off to a 4-1-1 start.
“The biggest thing is, there is no closure to it,” Faulkner said. “Last year, we came up short, but we played it out on the field. I have spoken to all my seniors. Not a ton I could tell them. It is a shame. I will have more teams but these guys, it was their last chance to play high school baseball.
“This was a special group and I think was the team that could move our program even farther.”
This story was originally published March 24, 2020 at 7:40 PM.
