As the school year dwindles down during the current pandemic, the S.C. High School League still holds out hope for some resumption of spring sports play.

During the April 2 teleconference, the league announced spring sports will remain suspended in accordance to S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster’s order to keep schools closed through April 30.

At the same time, Commissioner Jerome Singleton said plans are still being discussed to lay out plans for the student-athletes to compete in post season play if afforded by the governor and the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.

“As long as there is hope that there is school, there is hope for play,” Singleton said.

In addition to spring sports, Singleton discussed the league creating options of virtual conditioning for the players. This is where players can complete non-contact online workouts implemented by their coaches.

A regularly-scheduled April 22 meeting will take place which includes budget planning for the 2020-21 school year, the election of new officers and new rule implementations.

This past Friday saw the S.C. Independent School Association also extend its suspension date past April 3.

Director of Athletics Mike Fanning has indicated SCISA has formulated plans should they receive medical clearance from the governor and DHEC to resume sporting activities as quickly as possible.

While SCISA still hope to conduct school graduations, Fanning said like the SCHSL, current plans do not involve SCISA extending its spring sports seasons into June.

Gray Collegiate boys’ soccer coach Kevin Heise feels covid-19 is a double punch to the gut.

The suspension of spring sports by the SC High School League means he’s not able to coach his players, particularly the seniors. particularly the seniors.

He also had to cancel his prized tournament - the NIKE Palmetto Cup - for the 1st time in 27 years.

“Obviously, we are extremely disappointed not to be able to host the 2020 NIKE Palmetto Cup,” Heise said. “But again, these are extraordinarily unique times that we are living in right now. Most of our routines have been interrupted. It will be indeed strange to have a true spring break as we have not had that since the tournament started in 1993.”

The NIKE Palmetto has been highlighted by TopDrawerSoccer.com as 1 of the signature high school tournaments in the country, It has brought statewide and nationallyranked teams to Chronicle Country for during spring break. For the 2nd straight year, a girls’ field was added to the tournament.

In addition, Heise moved to a Showcase format in which each team would play 3 games in group play and a points system would be used to determine the finalists.

This would have marked the 3rd consecutive year the NIKE Palmetto Cup took place at Saluda Shoals Park in Irmo.

Heise praised park officials for allowing fans to see so many teams simultaneously in a “proper tournament atmosphere” setting.

“The folks at the Irmo-Chapin Recreation Commission have been awesome to work with over the years and we look forward to continuing that relationship in the future,” he said.

Heise expects interest in the NIKE Palmetto Cup to be “as keen as ever” next year. Nevertheless, it will not compensate for the disappointment for his senior players.

“Well this is the toughest part of the entire situation,” he said. “Our personal lives are built around our involvement with high school soccer. We hurt for our players and especially our seniors who have been blindsided by this unfortunate situation.

“We will coach again, but for many of these young people, this is the last real competitive soccer they will ever participate in and even for those going to college to play, it’s just an entirely different experience. I hate it for all the spring sport student-athletes across the state and country that are experiencing this phenomena.”

NIKE Palmetto Cup is cancelled for the 1st time in 27-year history