Fourteen high schools in the Golden Triangle area will not participate in sports for at least this coming week due to growing concerns about the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
On Saturday afternoon, the Midsouth Association for Independent Schools announced it had canceled all activities and athletic events beginning Monday in addition to recommending all MAIS schools close for one week beginning Monday.
The MAIS said it will reevaluate its decision to cancel sporting events on a week-to-week basis beginning March 23, but for now, spring sports seasons for six area high schools — Heritage Academy, Columbus Christian Academy, Starkville Academy, Starkville Christian School, Oak Hill Academy and Hebron Christian School.
“The health and safety of all MAIS students and personnel remain our top priority,” the MAIS said in its statement regarding Saturday’s decision. “The situation remains fluid, and MAIS guidance/requirements are subject to change in response to new information and recommendations.”
Heritage Academy had played a baseball game as recently as Saturday morning, when the Patriots beat George County in Lucedale, but for now, their season is suspended as the MAIS evaluates the situation.
“We continue to monitor information coming from the Mississippi Department of Health, the Institution of Higher Learning, the Mississippi Department of Education, and the Mississippi High School Activities Association, as well as corresponding agencies in neighboring states as we develop our plans for the coming weeks and months,” the statement read. “Our goal is to mitigate the risks posed by the coronavirus while maintaining the quality and integrity of our instructional and athletic programs.”
The MAIS’s ruling joined decisions by local public school districts to cancel school and suspend athletic competition.
The Columbus Municipal School District, the Lowndes County School District, the Starkville Oktibbeha School District, the West Point Consolidated School District will not hold school this week and will cancel all athletic events during the period.
The CMSD and LCSD have suspended all athletic practices events until further notice, affecting Columbus, New Hope, Caledonia and West Lowndes high schools.
“The district will continue to seek advisement from state officials and monitor this evolving situation,” the CMSD said in a statement Friday. “The health and safety of our students, staff and community remains a top priority.”
Victory Christian School will follow the LCSD’s policy and close for the week as well.
The SOCSD and WPCSD canceled all athletic practices and events for the duration of the closure, meaning Starkville, West Point and Noxubee County high schools could return to competition as soon as March 23.
But a Mississippi High School Activities Association meeting scheduled for Monday morning could put an end to spring sports across the state. The MHSAA announced Thursday it was closely monitoring the situation with COVID-19 with possible courses of action including a restriction on fan attendance or the cancellation of competition.
Pickens Academy (Alabama) will not be competing in athletics for the time being as the Alabama Independent School Association announced Friday it is suspending athletics from Sunday through April 5.
“Our decisions have been and will continue to be based on the advice of health care and disease specialists, and as an association it is our obligation to support the greater community in limiting the exposure and spread of the COVID-19 virus,” an AISA statement read. “We are confident that our actions are in the best interest of the stakeholders we serve.”
The AISA hopes to resume competition April 6 but said that date is subject to change. Should spring sports resume, criteria for playoff qualification are likely to change “due to time constraints,” according to the statement.
Theo DeRosa reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @Theo_DeRosa.
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