With the Coronavirus running rampant through the country the last few months, sports have virtually come to a standstill. Massachusetts had not only cancelled many a stay championships games for the winter season but had suspended the opening of the spring season leaving many high school athletes to wonder if they’ll be able to participate in the last season of the school year.
Currently the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) is looking at early May to have the spring seasons back up and running. At this writing, schools are slated to go back on May 4th with opening games being played on the 11th. The season will run until June 17 before playoffs will begin over 10 days. The Hopedale boy’s lacrosse team will play anywhere between 8 and 12 games this spring, down from their normal 18 if things get up and running.
“I think the way things have been dolled out with the suspension of the season compared to what the NCAA did and cancelling everything right away you have to commend the MIAA,” Hopedale boys lacrosse Coach Eric Moxim said. “Granted it’s not going to be a season they’re use, but it’s a season.”
While many may not think that the loss of a season is anything disruptive, it’s a big deal to the athletes, especially the juniors and seniors. Seniors such as Blake Moxim and Patrick Liddy have already committed to play lacrosse for Division 2 Lincoln Memorial University and Division 3 Clark University, respectively in the fall and were looking to end this high school career on a high note. In addition to finishing strong Moxim and Liddy would have to be ready to compete with their new teams come late August not giving them the proper time to get ready for that level of play. Seniors will still have the summer season to get ready, but again that usually coincides with their ability to get ready in the spring season.
Coming into the season Blake Moxim was looking at reaching 400 career points for Hopedale and earning All American status by the end of his senior campaign. Sitting at 292 points reaching 400 is going to be a stretch now that the season has been shortened by eight games. Having averaged 97.3 points per season over his first three years, Moxim would have needed to extend that average by 10 points to be on the cusp of 400.
“Prior to the season being cut, it would have been doable, but now it’s going to take a herculean effort,” Coach Moxim said. “As for being named an All American, the potential is there as everyone is in the same situation. The only problem is that he will not be playing against the voting coaches anymore.”
While Moxim and Liddy have their spots secured on the collegiate level juniors Ethan Warren and Tyler Small could be having their most important seasons taken away from them.
“Those who have aspirations about playing college lacrosse, the junior season is the most important,” the Hopedale Coach said. “Coaches begin recruiting, while the athletes are putting together their resume. Both Ethan and Tyler are very nervous about their chances with what’s going on.”
Warren was looking toward his junior campaign to solidify his name on the lacrosse field while putting together a highlight reel for colleges to prove that he can play the game on a high level and is not just a flash in the pan.
Small was also hoping to open some collegiate eyes this spring with his attack play.
“This definitely makes the process that much more difficult, especially for my age group. I just need to continue to go out and play the way that I am capable of playing if we get that chance,” he said. “In the mean time I’m just trying to stay fit and do what I can to improve my game. It’s defaint3ly a change in lifestyle not being able to go outside, but its one that is hurting everyone not just me. It’s just tough that the season had to suffer as a result.”
Not only are the high school athletes being robbed of a year of playing, they are also being knocked down a post or two with college athletes being granted another year of eligibility due to the one they lost due to the virus.
“That extra year of eligibility, if they wish, trickles down to the incoming freshman class,” Moxim said. “College Coaches don’t have to worry too much about where incoming freshman will play as they will have quality athletes coming back that they didn’t expect to have.”
Prior to all the social distancing rules and regulations teams could still get together at the fields to practice, but now that is something that can’t be done.
“Everyone is trying their best, but no everyone has access to the tools,” the Coach said. “All they can rally do is make sure they are physically fit and that they are ready to go if and when.”
At this point all the athletes can do is wait and see what happens and hopefully things would have settled down and the athletes will be able to take to the field at least for an abbreviated season.
Issue Date:
May, 2020
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