As concerns about COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, put nearly all of the professional and collegiate sports world on hold, it remains business as usual for high school sports in the Golden Triangle area — for now, anyway.
Five local high school baseball teams played in five different locations in Mississippi and Alabama on Thursday as no determination has yet been made on limiting attendance or cancelling athletic events.
In a statement released Thursday afternoon, the Mississippi High School Activities Association said it is “closely monitoring the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation in our state and in surrounding states. The health, safety and well-being of our student-athletes is at the forefront of our thoughts and our decisions concerning participation in member school sports and activities.”
As of Thursday, there have been no decisions made regarding attendance restrictions or game postponements or cancellations. But a couple hours before his team lost to Water Valley at the Northeast Mississippi Community College Classic on Thursday afternoon in Booneville, West Point baseball coach Blake Hutchison said he wouldn’t be surprised if similar changes to those on the college level were made sooner or later.
“Honestly, I’m kind of afraid it’s gonna trickle on down to us,” he said. “Usually when stuff like that happens, it ends up trickling down to the high school level. I guess they’ve gotta do what they’ve gotta do.”
On Thursday, nearly all major college conferences canceled the remainders of their men’s basketball tournaments, followed closely by an NCAA ruling that canceled all winter and spring championships, including the Division I men’s and women’s tournaments, the Women’s College World Series for softball and the College World Series for baseball.
Hutchison acknowledged it would “definitely be disappointing” if things change and sporting events are canceled or seasons are put on hold.
“Some of these kids have put in so much hard work to get to this point,” he said. “We look forward to it all year long.”
Heritage Academy baseball coach Justin Flake, whose team beat Pass Christian on Thursday in D’Iberville, knows dismay would be a common feeling were games or seasons to be canceled — but it’s worth the potential benefits to public health.
“I’m sure there would be a lot of disappointment, but public safety is probably on the forefront of everybody’s mind when it comes to making calls on these games,” he said. “As soon as they get it all straightened out, I’m sure we’ll get the word one way or the other.”
Also Thursday, Caledonia baseball played at Gordo (Alabama), Starkville Academy played St. Aloysius at St. Martin High School in Ocean Springs, and Pickens Academy (Alabama) hosted Kemper Academy.
For now, high school sports competitions are on as scheduled around the state, though the MHSAA noted it is entertaining possible backup plans for upcoming championships.
“We will do everything possible to complete championship competition as scheduled, but contingency plans with modified championship formats may be necessary,” the MHSAA’s statement read.
Theo DeRosa reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @Theo_DeRosa.
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