“I could’ve played my last high school game.” High school athletes upset at coronavirus
Did you watch the UIL boys basketball state tournament? Are you getting ready for the soccer postseason? Maybe it’s softball or baseball, tennis, golf or track?
No matter what sport you’re into, Dallas-Fort Worth produces some of the top high school athletes in the country.
But for at least the next two weeks, your game is on pause.
The world has been shaken up due to the coronavirus outbreak. Athletes at all levels have their seasons postponed, suspended or canceled.
The UIL suspended the boys basketball tournament on Thursday and suspended all competition until March 29. The NBA and NHL seasons have been suspended. MLB spring training is canceled.
No March Madness or Women’s College World Series.
You get the point.
“I’m sad for the athletes and coaches of spring sports. My hope is that the contests are postponed and not canceled,” said Arlington Grace Prep boys basketball coach Josh Duke. “Obviously health is the number one concern at this point. Keeping new cases of the virus down is the goal.”
The ones most affected: high school seniors playing in the spring.
“Seniors don’t get a do over,” Duke said.
Sorry, Seniors
College seniors in the spring may get the opportunity to play next season. The NCAA has discussed a possibility in which it would give seniors another year of eligibility.
However, this is it for high school.
No senior night? No prom? No graduation? Who really knows.
“As a player, situations like these are what people mean by ‘play every game like it’s your last,’” said Keller senior softball player Riley Love, who will continue her career at Texas Tech. “I’m extremely sad that I could’ve played my last high school softball game and none of us knew it. We’re not ready for our season to be over.”
The high school softball season had just started district play while baseball was a week behind.
Soccer was getting ready for the playoffs at the end of March, but the UIL announced a tentative schedule that pushed it back to April 14.
“I think I can speak for most seniors when I say it’s pretty upsetting we didn’t even get to finish out our last season or even have our own senior night,” said Rowlett senior soccer player Ashley Johnson (Texas State). “It’s upsetting that playoffs might not even happen so all the work we put in and being first in district will all be a waste.”
“Having my season cut short hurts,” added Burleson Centennial senior soccer player Hayleigh Cox (Arlington Baptist). “I wanted to go to state and for us to possibly not even go to the playoffs hurts.”
Heartbreaking News
The NCAA ruled out all spring competition.
The rest of the UIL seasons are in jeopardy after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended all gatherings of 50 people be postponed for at least eight weeks. It includes sporting events, weddings and concerts.
Eight weeks would push us into the middle of May.
“As an athlete, it’s heartbreaking because some of us train for these seasons our entire lives and now people aren’t even getting the chance to play their final season or win a championship,” said Denton junior volleyball player Taylor Thomas (Liberty).
While seniors are losing their final years of high school, athletes looking for late-minute scholarships are getting club seasons canceled and the opportunity for one more push to impress a college coach are taken away.
It hurts all age groups.
“I know people want to stay safe and healthy, but I was really looking forward to playing at national qualifiers and getting recruited,” said Saginaw junior volleyball player Abby Godwin. “I’ll continue to work hard for a scholarship. I’m just super upset.”
Staying Positive
Sarah Lewis is a senior softball player at Arlington Martin. She’s signed to the University of Texas at Dallas.
Lewis is like the rest of the seniors: devastated.
But she’s staying positive with the situation.
“I feel sad and somewhat mad, but thankful for the memories I have made,” Lewis said. “I’m feeling hopeful that the season may not be over, but if I played my last game, then I’m happy for the memories and friends I’ve made. This isn’t the end for me. I get the opportunity to play college softball and not everyone does.
“To me the health of others is greater than my last high school game. I’m nervous how it will play out, but I never imagined by senior year going like this.”
Nolan Catholic’s Delaney Boley feels the same.
Boley is a senior on the softball team. She’ll continue her career at Texas A&M-Commerce with her older sister, Avery.
“I have been apart of an amazing program for the past three years. I am very grateful that I have committed to play in college and I have four more years to play the sport I love,” she said. “It hurts my heart that our season could potentially be over, but in the end I know we have to make sacrifices and everyone’s safety and health is the number one priority.”
Other Reactions
“I’m glad that these administrators are taking our health and safety seriously, but at the same time it’s going to be very disappointing if our season is canceled. For many of us seniors across the nation, this year could be the last time we ever play the games we grew up loving and pouring our soul into. There’s still a lot of unfinished business that needs to be accomplished and if we don’t even get a chance to complete those goals it’s going to be an extremely sad and emotional way to end our careers.” - Payton Peterson, Boswell, Baseball, Senior
“I think it’s awful that seniors who have worked so hard are having their seasons stripped from them. Everyone understands the severity of the situation and we’re taking precautions, but it’s still hard to stomach. Hopefully it will all subside soon.” - Lauren Lucas, Little Elm, Softball, Senior
“Coronavirus is being blown out of proportion. People are going crazy and buying out all these stores like the world is ending and it’s creating a mass panic. It’s life changing for seniors. If seasons are canceled, it hurts their chance at playing at the next level. This panic is unnecessary and making things come to a stand-still and it’s impacting the future of high school seniors and college athletes.” - Cadee Massey, Castleberry, Basketball, Senior
“I’m hoping and praying that us seniors have senior night. It’s dedicated to our hard work and accomplishments. We’ve worked hard on and off the field these last four years that any recognition taken away is going to be absolutely heartbreaking.” - McKenna Leveling, Boswell, Soccer, Senior
“I’m angry that our season is being affected due to something that doesn’t appear to be any worse than the flu. This is my last season to play with our seniors and I was looking forward to going deep in the playoffs. I also wonder how this affects those of us planning on playing in college. In addition, I take my academics seriously and wonder how far behind this will make us and if my grades will suffer.” - Brie Michelli, Azle, Softball, Junior
This story was originally published March 17, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
