It is a year like none other. Much of life as we know it has been on hold for two months and that includes high school athletics in Mississippi.
The impact on high school athletics began during Spring Break in March when Governor Tate Reeves declared a state of emergency and extended the break by one week. Eventually, one week became the rest of the school year and at this time we cannot be assured that schools will open as scheduled in August.
As far as the Mississippi High School Activities Association is concerned, no school means no sports or other activities. Spring sports stopped, with no championships in baseball, softball, tennis, golf and track.
Actually, there were two non spring sports also affected. Championships for powerlifting and archery were canceled. Both were scheduled in April to culminate seasons that began in the fall for powerlifting and in January for archery.
MHSAA also had to cancel a bass fishing invitational at the Ross Barnett Reservoir that was supposed to culminate the first year of bass fishing as an activity.
The Mid South Association of Independent Schools initially held out hope to resume spring sports, but ultimately joined MHSAA in cancelling almost everything. The one exception was the MAIS e-sports championships held in March after schools closed because competitors were able to participant remotely from their homes.
Most affected were seniors who were unable to complete their high school careers. They also missed out on the final months of their high school careers, always one of the most exciting times in a young person’s life. No school means no senior prom or other memorable events.
Some teams were left wondering what might have happened if 2020 had been a normal spring. McAdams was a contender to win state championships in both boys and girls powerlifting. French Camp (6-0) and Ethel (13-1) were off to fast starts in baseball as the top two teams in 1A according to the website MaxPreps. Kosciusko softball was 7-2 and ranked fourth in 4A with a chance to win a second state title in three years. East Webster softball was able to play only three games, but was unbeaten and fifth ranked in 2A.
Kosciusko athletic director Macy Wilbanks had a meeting scheduled with superintendent Billy Ellzey. “We’ll try to figure out where we are with athletics going forward. Hopefully, we will be able to start doing a few things, somewhat limited. It’s just kind of everything upside down right now.”
The Mississippi High School Activities Association has approved on campus activities June 1 under strict guidelines. “We’re just trying to keep everybody safe and get back to normal within the guidelines as quick as possible.”
She feels bad for seniors who did not have a traditional final high school year, but said, “While they would have preferred a more traditional graduation, they got a unique experience out of it and one they will remember probably more than a traditional one.”
Seniors received diplomas one at a time at a private ceremony and a video was made.
“There’s a lot of uncertainty about everything,” said Kenyon Ross, who has been hired as McAdams athletics director. He will officially begin in the position July 1, but has been working with the coaching staff to formulate plans. “I’m doing a lot of little things behind the scene.”
Ross said the announcement by MHSAA that schools can begin some activities June 1 is a step in the right direction. But he added that he has had discussions with football coach Kenneth Nelson and McAdams might wait a little longer.
“Even though they said we could start June the first, we’re thinking about pushing back a little longer to see how things turn out with other programs.”
He is optimistic about the future for McAdams. “I think the future is bright, but it’s going to be a long process.”
Graduation is tentatively scheduled for the football field.
“Closing the schools was a surprise,” said Ethel High School Principal Culley Newman. “I really didn’t think we were actually closing school. I understand once one state started doing it then another state, then another, Mississippi was going to follow suit. But I was still somewhat surprised.”
Newman also said the future for how sports will be conducted is uncertain.
“If the CDC and MHSAA doesn’t relax some of the guidelines, I’m not even sure if we could have sports,” he said. “That being said, we will have a chance June 1 to start working with kids in smaller groups and hopefully use that time to work on fundamental with the athletes.
“I’m sure every coach, player, parent and principal are anxiously awaiting the new word from Gov. Reeves,” he added. “No matter what is said, there will be drastic changes to all things athletics.”
