CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – In an email sent to families on Tuesday, Clarksville-Montgomery County School System announced it would be switching to remote learning for all students beginning Wednesday, Dec. 16 until Jan. 4.
As a result, all scheduled winter sport athletics and extracurricular activities that were set to occur over that time span have been postponed or canceled.
Rossview boys basketball coach Johnny Jackson understands the severity of the situation and said he chooses not to be up in arms about the decision.
“Everyone has the kids’ best interest at heart,” Jackson said. “This virus has really taken a toll on our students and teachers. It’s obviously hard to explain to teenagers that they cannot do something that they really like to do, and it’s also hard to tell coaches that love what they do the same thing, but ultimately it’s best for everyone.”
Getting back to full strength
There have been several instances so far this basketball season where schools have competed in full games with only five or six active players on the court. Northeast girls basketball coach Tracie Mason-Blair is optimistic that this postponement will give teams the opportunity to get back to full strength.
“Of course you are disappointed that you are not able to play, but I think it was the right decision considering the increase in cases with all the contact tracing,” Mason-Blair said. “I’m hoping we will be able to pick back up in January and finish the season. As far as the effect on the season and athletes go, anytime you take a day off you need two or three days to get back in the groove of things. I hope when we do get to return, the girls are anxious to be back in the gym and will work extra hard.”
More practice time needed
Montgomery Central boys basketball coach Mike Brown insists that more practice time be allotted once total remote learning is lifted to lower the risk of injuries for the athletes before immediately returning to game action.
“Without question everyone’s health and safety should always come first,” Brown said. “I would hope that some practice time would be given before they start back playing games. If the athletes take off two weeks and go straight to game play, I am worried that is a recipe for injury. I have not heard if a decision has been made in regards to practice at this time. If practice is not allowed over the holidays, then I think it would not be in the athletes’ best interest to play games the first week back.”
Rossview wrestling coach Jeff Price informed his athletes prior to the start of the season that something like this could occur.
“While the decision to cancel competition until Jan. 4 is unfortunate, if it allows us to get to a region and state tournament then it was the right decision,” Price said. “I’ve been telling our team since we started this journey several months ago that we must focus on each day as if it was our last and keep our eyes toward February.
“My expectation is that we pick back up in two weeks right where we left off and go on a final six-week run toward winning state championships. As long as we have hope, we will not let obstacles or excuses change our goals or what is required each day to accomplish them.”
Making the best of it
Jackson has faith in CMCSS’s administration and its ability to effectively operate during these trying times.
“Mr. House (Millard) and Mr. Miller (John) are great leaders in our school system and they both loves sports,” Jackson said. “They would never do anything to hurt athletics in our community. I’m happy that we’ve got to play games so far this season. It will be a minor setback as long as we get to finish up the year. We just really need to slow down this virus and if they believe this is the best way, then I fully support them.”
If the boys basketball season does in fact eventually get to play out, Brown believes the race for the league crown will be an exciting one.
“There are several good teams in this district and any of them could win it,” Brown said. “That would be true with or without this postponement. What I am confident of is that the team that wins the district tournament will represent us well in the region.”
Price is currently taking the stance of resuming winters sports after the pause because he recognizes what an outlet such as wrestling can ultimately do for his students as a former high school athlete himself.
“What we can’t do is take away the kids’ hope,” Price said. “Mitigate risk and protect those that need to be protected. My daughter has cystic fibrosis, so the concerns of COVID impact every decision I make each day, but I know what sports mean to all these students athletes. They are family to me as well and we need to let them finish what they started.”