From staff reports

A path for high school athletes in North Carolina to begin summer workouts in groups and with coaches is starting to take shape amid the coronavirus pandemic.

 The National Federation of State High School Associations, the national governing body of high school sports, released guidelines for state associations across the country on Tuesday. The guidelines are restrictive, however, limiting the number of people that can participate and discouraging the use of any equipment. But at least, it’s a starting point.

The guidelines from the NFHS include phases for workouts this summer and classifies sports as “lower risk,” “medium risk” and “higher risk.”

“Moderate risk” sports, which cannot be accomplished with social distancing but with protective equipment in place are basketball, volleyball, baseball, softball, soccer,  gymnastics,  tennis, swimming relays, girls lacrosse and 7-on-7 football. Some track-and-field activities are “moderate risk.”

“Higher risk” sports, those that  involve close, sustained contact between participants, include football, wrestling, boys lacrosse and competitive cheer and dance.

“We have to emphasize that the document states these are guidelines and not intended to be the rule book for what we do in North Carolina,” NCHSAA assistant commissioner James Alverson said.

 

NC3 baseball

Rowan County’s Senior team had 31 players sign up at Sunday’s drive-through session at Extreme Performance.

The earliest games possibly could start is June 15.

 

NCHSAA

CHAPEL HILL – The North Carolina High School Athletic Association is pleased to announce the winners of the 2020 William Clary Medal scholarship. This year’s recipients are Kayla Yang from Clinton High School and Gabriel Barber from East Bladen High School.

Winners of the Clary Medal are awarded a one-time $2,000 scholarship and a commemorative plaque.

Yang is a three-sport athlete in soccer, swimming, and golf at Clinton. She was a member of the school’s inaugural girl’s golf team and made an appearance at the regional and state championships. Her athletic pursuits also included honors for her outstanding performances in soccer and swimming. As a soccer standout, she was named All-County, All-Conference, All-Region and All-State.

Barber is a two-sport athlete in baseball and soccer at East Bladen.  He was selected as team captain for both sports his junior and senior year. As a standout soccer player, he was selected as a member of the All-Conference, All-Region and All-State teams. He also received recognition as Conference Player of the Year.

 

Commits, offers

Salisbury linebacker Jalon Walker (Class of 2022) received an offer from Virginia on Tuesday.

He also has offers from Arizona State, Auburn, Duke, East Carolina, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan State, NC State, North Carolina, Ohio State, South Carolina, Texas A&M, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest.

•••

Pitcher Maddux Holshouser, a 2018 Carson graduate, announced a transfer from UNC Greensboro to Catawba. Story is upcoming.

•••

Salisbury safety Jadarius “JD” Wood has committed to Guilford. Story is upcoming.