How MHSAA is giving Amory and South Delta flexibility to resume athletics after tornado

Langston Newsome, Mississippi Clarion Ledger
·2 min read

Amory High hopes to begin athletics activities on Saturday, according to Mississippi High School Activities Association Executive Director Rickey Neaves.

Amory and South Delta were both heavily damaged in Friday's EF-4 tornado that tore through Rolling Fork in the Delta before cutting Northeast.

Amory athletics director Chad Williams discussed a return to athletics with Neaves on Monday morning.

"Amory hopes to resume baseball, softball and tennis activities this Saturday," Neaves said. "I don't know if it will be at their facility, but all the schools in that area, including both community colleges have reached out to them to tell (Amory) they can use their facilities."

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Both schools have suspended all sports and activities this week, according to Neaves. Neither school is in session due to the damages caused by the tornado.

"South Delta was hit the hardest — we still don't know at this time when they might be back in school or what their plans are," Neaves said. "We're just trying to help them get over the total loss of their town and life."

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency has reported 21 deaths as a result of the severe weather.

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The MHSAA will give both programs the option to resume activities and athletics before virtual and in-person instruction returns.

"What we will do, of course we can't move our championships dates, but we would let cancel any non-division games without penalty and play their region games where they could be involved in the playoffs," Neaves said. "We will make any arrangements that need be for those kids to have the opportunity to play in the playoffs.

"We will allow them to play until their school reopens," Neaves said. "This is a natural disaster. It might be best for them to go play a double header."

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi tornado: Amory, South Delta have flexibility to resume athletics