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LAPLACE – Last month, the Louisiana High School Athletic Association’s boys’ basketball championships were played in Lake Charles in front of sparsely populated stands. With the coronavirus beginning to grip Louisiana, only a limited number of fans were permitted to watch as teams battled out the season’s end.

But the situation has changed tremendously in the past four weeks, according to LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine. Less than 50 people across the state had tested positive for COVID-19 when it was decided the basketball championships would move forward. In the meantime, more than 20,000 people across the state have tested positive. More than 900 Louisianans have died.

It was with a heavy heart that Bonine signed a letter on behalf of the LHSAA announcing the cancellation of all spring sports.

The decision came after Governor John Bel Edwards announced all Louisiana public K-12 facilities would remain closed through at least April 30.This week, Edwards extended closures to the end of the school year at the urging of the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents.

While distance learning through virtual means has extended education beyond the classroom, it hasn’t been a substitute for athletics.

“Since that announcement, and due to the severity of the virus and its spread, the continued uncertainty of circumstances surrounding our membership, their facilities, coupled with the importance of protecting the health and safety of our athletes, their families, potential spectators, coaches and game officials, the LHSAA Executive Committee, on recommendation from this office and its staff, approved the cancellation of all remaining 2019-2020 winter sports championships, as well as, all spring sports regular seasons and those respective spring sports championships,” Bonine wrote.

He added that the decision was not made in haste and that it was discussed with “tremendous concern” for the senior athletes missing out on their final high school seasons.

“We understand the hardships and the disappointments everyone, especially the class of 2020, is enduring due to the closure of school facilities, but our unwavering focus must now remain on doing our part by continuing to follow any/all mitigation measures set forth by the governor,” Bonine said.

Moving forward, Bonine and designated LHSAA representatives will discuss potential permissive summer activities and make proactive plans for if the coronavirus potentially impacts the beginning of the fall sports season.

In St. John the Baptist Parish, coaches have reluctantly traded spring sports seasons for staying indoors and watching reruns of big games on television. St. Charles Catholic baseball coach Wayne Stein recounted that he’s spent more time than ever before with family but misses being on the field with the team.

In 2019, the Comets broke what seemed to be a years-long “curse” by finally clutching the coveted LHSAA state championship baseball trophy. It was going to be a tough year to follow, by the Comets were holding up pretty well with a 6-4-1 record when the season was cut short.

East St. John softball coach Ikena Anthony said the cancellation has been a tough pill to swallow for her team. Seniors Crystal Smith, Kyra Thomas, Sa’Dajia Alvis and Jasmine Borne are missing out on milestone moments.

“It was very heartbreaking for us that we could not finish our season,” Anthony said. We had fallen right into district, and when that Thursday game was cancelled we were in disbelief!”

The Lady Cats were slated to kick off district with a game against Destrehan.

East St. John baseball coach Wendell “Brick” Henderson was sad for the seniors on his team, but he respects the way local authorities and LHSAA officials have handled the unprecedented situation.

“I think they did the best thing they could do for the public,” Henderson said. “We enjoy sports, but life is the most precious thing in this world.”

Baseball and softball are not the only sports that have come to a premature end. Bass fishing, tennis, golf and outdoor track and field also faced the chopping block.