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| COVID CONCERNS ARE GROWING FOR FALL SPORTS |
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| You're probably aware that the number of new cases of COVID-19 are growing rapidly in North Carolina and across the country. There is no central place where data is being tracked about cases involving high school athletes in North Carolina, but I can tell you the level of concern among coaches and athletic administrators is growing. Anecdotally, it sure feels that we're seeing more quarantine issues already this fall than we did in the spring. As schools return to full in-person learning, many coaches are concerned that we're just at the beginning of the problem. There's no real news to report on this issue yet, but it's something we should be keeping a close eye on. |
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| HOW TO KEEP UP WITH FALL SPORTS THIS SEASON |
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With fall sports at least beginning a normal season (hopefully they're able to complete a normal season too), we wanted to remind you about all the ways to keep up with what's going on.
The best thing you can do is download the free HighSchoolOT app. Everything you get online is on the app. You can read stories, watch videos (including live videos), see photos and interviews, check the scoreboard, report scores, and more. We also send you breaking news alerts so you don't miss any big news.
Scores are obviously a big thing. It's going to be tough to keep accurate schedules this year with so many changes with Covid, but we're doing our best. You can see the latest scores at HighSchoolOT.com/Scores or in the app. You can also report your scores to us on the scoreboard, in the app, by emailing HSOTscores@wral.com, or by clicking here.
And be sure you follow us on social media...
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| FLOODING DEVASTATES WNC HIGH SCHOOL |
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The remnants of Tropical Storm Fred moved through the western part of our state this week and left behind a lot of rain. Haywood County was one of the hardest hit areas, and Pisgah High School was right in the middle of it.
Flood waters swallowed up every athletic field at Pisgah. Athletic Director Heidi Morgan told me on Tuesday, "We have lost every athletic field that we have ... There's going to be a total rebuild."
Morgan doesn't expect Pisgah will play a single home game this fall because of the devastation. The brand new turf field has been ripped away, there is concern about the structural integrity of the stadium, fencing is gone, interior spaces of concession stands have been demolished. The baseball and softball fields have been ruined too. |
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| ALL REMAINS QUIET AT STATE LEGISLATURE |
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| There's no real update to be had here. Since the NCHSAA and state legislators met behind closed doors several weeks ago, there have been no developments on HB 91 or where any possible legislation might be headed. We're still keeping a close watch on this topic though. Maybe we'll hear more soon. |
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| MORE FOOTBALL CONFERENCE PREVIEWS |
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| We've continued rolling out conference previews for football season this week. Here are some of the latest previews we've published:
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| The schools hopes to play a JV schedule and return to varsity competition in 2022. |
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| As football season gets underway, here are some of the top players at each position that you should be on the lookout for. |
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| Here are the top 25 teams from the East and West according to HSOT as we head into Week 1 of the football season. |
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Our attention is squarely on the start of football season tonight. We're getting geared up for HSOT Live and Football Friday.
Beyond this week though, we need to pay careful attention to the situation with Covid in high school sports. There is some worry about whether or not things will go on uninterrupted. Will it be like March 2020? I highly doubt it. But there are already a lot of teams impacted by quarantines, and logic would suggest there will be more. It's something to watch.
Good luck to all the teams playing this week.
Nick Stevens |
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| Thank you for reading the HighSchoolOT Newsletter this week. Do you have suggestions, comments, or concerns? You can email me any time at nstevens@wral.com. |
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