Following the statewide closure of K-12 public schools for the remainder of the 2019-20 year Friday, the N.C. High School Athletic Association quickly made a difficult decision.
The spring 2020 sports season has officially been canceled, a blow to senior student-athletes who were hoping to shine for one final time at the high school level.
“We empathize with the thousands of student-athletes, especially graduating seniors, coaching staffs, officials and family members affected by this decision,” N.C. High School Athletic Association Commissioner Que Tucker said. “However, this decision reflects a commitment to keeping our student-athletes, officials and member schools’ staffs and their communities safe, while following the guidelines provided by the governor and his team, along with the Department of Public Instruction and State Board of Education.”
It seems like a lifetime ago that Robbinsville athletes suited up for the start of the spring season. The high school Lady Knights’ softball team – an early favorite for a deep playoff run – played just one game, a 13-4 win at Copper Basin, Tenn., on March 9.
The Black Knights’ golf team – as well as both the high school and middle school track teams – only competed in one event during the spring season as well.
Meanwhile, the high school Black Knights were riding high after going 3-1 to begin the year, with wins over Cherokee, Hiwassee Dam and Copper Basin already under their belts. Robbinsville baseball also unknowingly played the final game of the 2020 sports season March 12, a 9-2 road loss at Swain County. All spring sports were suspended the next day.