It's 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 base 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 is 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. East Webster athletic director Doug Wilson referenced a 2011 tornado that damaged the school, saying “We responded by rolling up our sleeves and going to work when everything was back to where we could. That’s the same thing that we are going to do with COVID-19. There’s no doubt in my mind with the student body and the staff that we have we will come back bigger, better and stronger. Even though we are not dealing with structural damage, this has set us back with fundraising. We will overcome and be ready to roll when the appropriate time comes.” Eupora athletic director Alex Rawls said “It’s a huge disappointment for the seniors who have lost the opportunity to compete.” A meeting of coaches and administrators was scheduled this week. “We are going to put a plan in place for when we get back to campus June the first. How we can do it efficiently, effectively and most importantly safely. We are going to adhere to Governor Reeves’ order and the guidelines set down by MHSAA. Eupora football coach Stephen Edwards said his players went through weight room work before Spring Break. “The younger kids are really getting stronger and making gains and then everything is shut down. It’s disappointing for sure.” He said there were plans for two weeks of spring football practice before MHSAA prohibited it. “I don’t think we were going to lose a whole lot.” Eupora held a drive through graduation May 16 and hopes to have a full graduation in July, if permitted.
