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With questions surrounding mask requirements for student-athletes and health concerns, the Crossroads Christian School Colts have temporarily halted the men’s basketball season.
CCS Athletic Director Scottie Richardson said the decision was based solely on what is right for the players. “The decision came down to the health of our student-athletes, period,” said Richardson. “We just don’t have enough information on the status of playing a sport like basketball and wearing masks. Instead of just allowing it without doing our due diligence of understanding the risks involved with how it couples with asthma, breathing issues, heart issues from birth, etc., we decided to pause the sport for two weeks.”
Richardson further explained that several players have inhalers, are diabetic or have other underlying health issues that could potentially make playing sports in a mask more difficult.
In guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the wearing of masks during athletic activities, Richardson said the agency recognizes that “masks may be challenging for players (especially younger players) to wear while playing sports” and “masks should not be placed on anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious.”
The North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association (NCISAA) recently announced plans for officials to extend timeouts, quarter breaks and halftime to allow for additional recovery time for playing in masks.
Basketball activities are expected to resume at CCS on Monday, December 7, 2020, with the team spending the first week back on the court in shooting drills, walk-through drills, etc.
According to Richardson, games and full-speed practices will remain paused until more information is gathered from the NCISAA and NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS). Games canceled for COVID issues or concerns are counted as “no contests.”