03/28/2024
Basketball
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In a special called virtual meeting on Monday, December 21, 2020, the Bladen County Board of Education rescinded a prior vote. One week ago, the board met and voted against allowing Bladen County student-athletes to participate in basketball, citing COVID-19 safety concerns as the reason.

After meeting on December 14, exasperated parents and students wanting the opportunity to play basketball reached out to the media and started a petition. The petition provided an avenue to give the student-athletes a voice. It garnered over 550 signatures in less than a week in support of allowing basketball to be played in Bladen County Schools.

During the special called meeting held today, there was no discussion. The board voted five to three (5 to 3) to rescind the vote made during the December 14th meeting about basketball and to allow Bladen County student-athletes the opportunity to play basketball according to the North Carolina High School Athletic Association guidelines.

Board member Alan West made the motion with a second from Vincent Rozier. Board members Chris Clark, Glenn McKoy, Dennis Edwards, Vincent Roizer, voted in favor of the movement. Tim Benton, Corey Singletary, and Roger Carroll voted against the motion. 

After the meeting, board member Gary Rhoda told BladenOnline he was not allowed in the virtual meeting. He explained he called in with the same number as he usually does, but he was not allowed access into the meeting by the administration. 

Mr. Rhoda said he would have voted no in the vote brought before the board about basketball. He explained, “I believe in science, and I don’t believe this virus is a hoax. Our numbers are going up, and I’d rather be safe than sorry.” 

East Bladen High School posted to their social media account, “The high schools began allowing light basketball workouts with their student-athletes on December 7. Per NCHSAA guidelines, basketball season has a limit of 14 games. Basketball workouts will continue in preparation for competitive play which begins January 4, with a weekly limit of two games.”

The NCHSAA Modified Sports Manual is a “live” document, with changes being made as more information is provided during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The NCHSAA allows participation in basketball sports with safety guidelines. View the guidelines by clicking here.

Related article: 

https://bladencounty.org/all-bladen-county-students-return-to-remote-learning-after-christmas-hundreds-of-students-at-risk/

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