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HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS

VHSL clarifies new statewide measures, impact on sports and activities

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia High School League (VHSL) clarified the impact of updated statewide measures and recommendations to contain COVID-19 on VHSL sports and activities, specifically, guidelines for wearing facemasks and spectators attending athletic competitions. During times of substantial COVID-19 activity VDH strongly advises athletes to wear masks at all times during group training, competition, and on the sidelines. Additionally, if wearing a mask makes participation in sports difficult, it is advisable not to participate in sports at this time. The total number of spectators cannot exceed 30 percent of the occupancy load of the certificate of occupancy for the venue. The current VDH language relative to the wearing of masks may be accessed using the following link: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/schools-workplaces-community-locations/sports/Executive Order 72 link https://www.governor.virginia.gov/media/governorvirginiagov/executive-actions/EO-72-and-Order-of-Public-Health-Emergency-Nine-Common-Sense-Surge-Restrictions-Certain-Temporary-Restrictions-Due-to-Novel-Coronavirus-(COVID-19).pdf

Cave Spring head boys’ basketball coach awarded Coach of the Year in Virginia

ROANOKE, Va. – Cave Spring High School’s head boy’s basketball coach, Jacob Gruse, was recently named the 2019-2020 Boy’s Coach of the Year by the VHSL. It was really humbling, I feel blessed, there are so many great coaches everywhere, especially in Virginia,” Gruse said. “They are well deserving of this award.”Gruse was named the Class 3 Boy’s Basketball Coach of the Year in April. Doesn’t happen without Derrick Roth, my associate head coach, Tim Myers my assistant coach, and Ethan Humphries who was our JV coach last year. And I had unbelievable players too, really good players make a really good coach.”Cave Spring is scheduled to begin practice for the 2020-2021 season on December 7.

Prep sports stars sign on to College choices

Radford/Salem/Roanoke, VA – A prep signing period opens Wednesday for everyone other than football and men’s and women’s D-1 hoops. At the home of the Bobcats, Radford star volleyball player Trinity Adams is headed to SEC and national power Florida. Adams helped lead the Bobcats to a state championship right here in nearby Salem, as they defeated Poquoson for the title. And at Patrick henry, the Patriots multi-sport star Savannah Derey will play lacrosse at the next level. Lauren Pickett will play volleyball at D-2 Eckerd College, Meleah Kirtner will play hoops at ETSU and Daniel Goode will drive up I-81 and play golf for Radford.

Richmond Public Schools pull plug on winter sports season

Richmond, VA – WSLS-10 Sports has confirmed through sources that Richmond Public Schools have decided to forgo the upcoming winter sports season for 2020-2021. They will play a 14-game regular season beginning on December 21. Gymnastics, indoor track, swim and dive and wrestling all begin practice on Dec. 14, and will begin their regular seasons on Dec. 28. Gymnastics, indoor track and swim and dive will hold six meets each, while wrestling will have eight contests. Regionals begin for all four sports on Feb. 1.

Virginia’s proposed high school sports plan has a 6-game football regular season

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – On Monday afternoon, the VHSL released a proposed plan that was discussed in a special work session by the VHSL Executive Committee. The organization developed the proposed schedule that would include regular season and postseason championships, called the “Championships + 1″ schedule. VHSL proposed schedule for Season 1- Winter Sports (VHSL)For Season 2- Fall Sports, we would see six football games over a 7-week span. VHSL proposed schedule for Season 2- Fall Sports (VHSL)For Season 3- Spring Sports, baseball and softball would each play 12 games with soccer and tennis receiving 10 regular-season contests. VHSL proposed schedule for Season 3- Spring Sports (VHSL)“I want to be clear that this work session was not intended to produce a final plan.

VHSL developing plans for reopening of fall athletics and activities

VHSL staff continues to meet regularly with region superintendents, principals, athletic directors, and the VHSL Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC). VHSL staff will begin meeting with Coach Advisory Committees of fall sports to discuss developing reopening plans. VHSL is drawing input to provide answers to the questions: How and when do VHSL sports and activities return? We will continue to advocate for them and the return of high school athletics and activities, said VHSL Executive Director Dr. John W. Billy Haun. As a member of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), the VHSL works closely with other states in developing guidelines for the reopening of sports, as well as monitoring NCAA reopening guidelines.

VHSL announces all out of season practices and summer activities cancelled

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The VHSL has received numerous inquiries from school divisions regarding out of season practice guidelines for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year due to the ongoing threat of COVID-19. The VHSL will continue to follow all protocols and guidelines issued from the Governor, CDC, and the Virginia Department of Health. At the present time this means out of season practice and all activities this summer are cancelled until further notice. Once the Governor declares schools can re-open and guidelines are provided for the reopening, the VHSL will work with the Executive Committee to draw up protocols and guidelines for resuming athletic activities. We ask every member school to support the Governor’s directives and the DOE during this time.

VHSL canceling some state championship basketball games, naming co-champions

RICHMOND, Va. – This year, there will be a few more basketball state champions than normal. VHSL, Virginia’s governing body of high school sports, announced Thursday that Friday and Saturday’s state championship games are canceled due to coronavirus fears. “After continuing to assess the impact of COVID-19 and the recent cancellations throughout the sports world, we felt it was in the public interest to cancel our championship finals for Friday and Saturday," VHSL Executive Director Dr. John W. “Billy” Haun said. "“While we understand how disappointing this is for all fans of our teams, we feel this decision is in the best interest of public health, including that of, most importantly, our student-athletes, coaches, administrators, families, and fans.”