By EMMA SPORLEDER, Student Reporter
On March 12, Payton Jones was sitting with her basketball team at a Chick-fil-A in Oklahoma City when she realized she would never play for her hometown again.
For the first time in 86 years, the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association announced that the state tournament games were being canceled because of concerns about the coronavirus. Major events across the nation were also canceled.
Earlier that day, the Alva Ladybugs were celebrated and sent off in small-town fashion to travel 149 miles to play at the Big House in Oklahoma City. The Ladybugs were set to face Adair High School that night at 8:30 for the first round of the 3A State Basketball Tournament. The news that Oklahoma wouldn’t crown a champion was brought to the Ladybugs only a few hours before tip-off.
“When I found out the season was over, I think I was more in shock than anything,” Jones said. “Nobody thinks something like this could happen.”
‘DEVASTATING’
Jones, the leading scorer for the Ladybugs, punched the ticket to the state tournament after defeating Chandler High School 52-32 on March 7. Jones was a force to be reckoned with during the postseason. She racked up 106 points after playing five playoff games.
“My role as a senior was to be our leader,” Jones said. “I knew we had a special team, but my job was to get the job done. Playing in the state tournament has always been a dream of mine, and getting that taken away from me was devastating.”
Five Ladybug seniors were unable to finish their impressive 26-2 season before the unexpected final buzzer.
After the Oklahoma State Department of Education ruled that all extracurricular activities were at a standstill in response to COVID-19, the OSSAA had no choice but to cancel the remainder of spring 2020 competition.
Dr. Mike Simpson, OSSAA board of directors president and superintendent of Guthrie Public Schools, estimates that approximately $1.1 million in revenue to the OSSAA was lost because of the cancellation of the state basketball tournament and all spring sports. Simpson represents the large schools in the northwest region of Oklahoma and presides over the board meetings while working with the executive director to formulate agenda items for meetings.
“While we have reserve funds for situations where we have a shortfall, this is a very challenging time for the association from a financial perspective,” Simpson said. “Nothing has been made easier with the loss from the spring of 2020 events.”
Loss of money was not a problem for Olive High School, a small school of less than 100 students in Drumright. Leslie Shoulders, Olive High School’s athletic director, said the school saved more than $3,000 because the school didn’t have to pay for awards and staff for sporting events.
Oklahoma was in the middle of the national response to COVID-19 after the first NBA player tested positive for the virus in Oklahoma City just before the Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Utah Jazz tip-off. The NBA then suspended its season.
While the stoppage of play was tough for all spring athletes, it was especially tough for high school seniors who were hoping to finish their seasons strong and show colleges they have what it takes to play at the next level. High school senior athletes didn’t gain another year of eligibility like collegiate athletes did.
“I really felt bad for the seniors who didn’t get to compete for their school, especially the winter basketball teams who had qualified for the state tournament,” Simpson said. “They lost their opportunity to seek their gold ball. The timing was surreal as we were literally getting ready to begin the tournaments.”
‘EVERYONE JUST TRIED TO GET THROUGH IT’
Team sports help teach adolescents accountability, dedication, leadership and teamwork, said Rusty Puffinbarger, OSSAA board of directors vice president and superintendent of Leedey Public Schools. High school athletes have displayed higher grade point averages and fewer school absences than non-athletes. Puffinbarger said student participation changed during the cancellation.
“Everyone just tried to get through it,” Puffinbarger said. “The student participation levels were high in the beginning but tapered off towards the end of the school year. The entire ordeal was a challenge for everyone’s mental health, but kids need to be in school and participating in activities.”
SCHOOLS IMPLEMENT SAFETY MEASURES
On Aug. 12, coaches and players across Oklahoma were able to breathe a collective sigh of relief after the OSSAA ruled that fall competition was back in action. Every school district in Oklahoma made changes to their school days and activities. The primary goal is to socially distance students when possible and monitor all students for COVID-19 symptoms or exposure in order to stop the spread of the virus.
Although some sports or activities make it impossible to follow social distancing guidelines at times, competing schools are equipped with safety measures and precautions to practice and compete safely.
In the event of a positive case or exposure to someone who has tested positive, county health departments are involved in contact tracing, making decisions about quarantines and cancelling activities.
“We know more about the virus now than we did last spring,” Puffinbarger said. “I think everyone wants to make sure we don’t have a statewide shutdown again, so we are all trying our best to do it as safely as possible. This is a very challenging situation. It’s unlike anything I’ve previously dealt with as a school administrator.”
The OSSAA offers guidelines to ensure that all students, school officials and fans stay safe on game day. Institutions may choose to implement any or all of these guidelines at the local school district’s discretion.
In a statement on the organization’s website, OSSAA officials say the situation surrounding COVID-19 is fluid, and adjustments may be necessary. Coaches, participants and spectators should adhere to all guidelines, including social distancing, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, local health authorities and school officials.
In addition to these guidelines, there are conditions for the modifications of game rules specific to each activity.
A copy of those conditions can be found on each activity’s webpage at https:www.ossaa.com.
Jones will never put on an Alva jersey or play for her hometown again, but in spite of her career as a Ladybug being put to a screeching halt, she earned the opportunity to compete at the next level.
Soon, Jones will suit up and step on the court for the Crimson Storm of Southern Nazarene University to continue where she left off.
“Put in the extra work,” Jones said. “It’ll pay off in the end.”