Harlan County High School basketball coaches Michael Jones and Anthony Nolan met with their teams Tuesday at the HCHS gym, following the social distance guidelines while explaining the plans for the remainder of the summer.
Summer basketball would normally be in full swing in early June with many high school basketball teams around the state participating in 20 or more scrimmages, but Tuesday’s meetings focused only on plans for workouts starting on June 15.
The Kentucky High School Athletics Association Board of Control voted Thursday to allow team meetings of 10 or less June 1-14. Beginning on June 15, practices can resume for some sports on a limited basis. Based on current guidelines from Governor Andy Beshear, practices with 10 or fewer participants can begin in mid-June.
Practices in low touch sports, including golf and cross country, will resume on June 15, while volleyball, football, soccer, field hockey and basketball can start workouts and exercises in a small-group setting, but can’t start practices until at least June 29.
Jones told his 10 returning varsity players that they would meet starting on June 15 for two weeks of workouts. Jones also held meetings with incoming freshmen following the varsity meeting. Nolan conducted meetings earlier in the day with those planning to play on the HCHS girls teams.
KHSAA Commissioner Julian Tackett said guidelines for practices in late June will be announced at a later date. Tackett added that meetings June 1-14 should be considered voluntary. Jones stressed that everything planned for the summer in all sports was strictly voluntary, according to state and local guidelines.
The KHSAA board ended a dead period that had been in effect since March 13 because of the COVID-19 pandemic and voted by a margin of 13-5 to eliminate the dead period this year that runs from June 25-July 9.
Several other local teams will also be meeting, including the Harlan High School football team on June 11 at 6 p.m., according to coach Eric Perry, who said the meeting would be held online.
All current HCHS dance team members need to meet in the gymnasium at 11 a.m. Thursday. Information and camps, sports physicals, and practice will be discussed, according to a press release from the Harlan County School District. Team members should enter at the top gym doors. Any girl interested in trying out for the dance team should come to the HCHS gym Thursday at noon. Those attending will receive information and guidance on virtual tryouts.
Harlan Countyvolleyball coaches Cathy York and Christina Spurlock will have a meeting at 7 p.m. on Thursday. This meeting is open to anyone interested in playing volleyball at HCHS this season and will be held at the gym. Players should enter through the top doors to the gymnasium.
As a result of social distancing regulations, only 10 students will be allowed to meet with the coach per session. This protocol will be followed to allow conversations and planning to begin for coaches and players. York will be distributing physical forms, which must be completed before workouts begin on June 15.
Group meetings will take place for those wishing to run cross country this fall at HCHS. Meetings will be from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday and Friday at the HCHS track and will be held in groups of 10 or less. Contact coach Ryan Vitatoe to schedule your time.