COVID-19 Coverage

As the coronavirus pandemic grips North Carolina and the country as a whole, high school sports are not immune from its impacts.

With schools closed, sports suspended, and social distancing now standard practice, it could be awhile before high school sports teams are back in action. HighSchoolOT's dedication to covering high school athletics does not change though. We are adapting our coverage to meet the needs of our audience during the pandemic, including information about coronavirus, how it's impacting sports and education, and how people within high school sports are coping.

Stay Connected

Download the free HighSchoolOT app
Follow @HighSchoolOT on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

Coronavirus Coverage

Blake: After unusual start, a normal finish is an accomplishment for the last true "COVID class" of high school
This year's senior class of 2024 is the the last one whose high school journey got off to COVID-impacted start.

August 1, 2023 10:53 a.m. EDT
Year in Review: The biggest stories in NC high school sports in 2022
As we prepare to celebrate the start of another year, it's worth taking time to look back at all that transpired in North Carolina high school sports in 2022.

December 29, 2022 5:22 p.m. EST
NC high school sports participation declined in all but 5 sports after pandemic
State-level participation data has been released for specific sports and the numbers continue to show the major impact the COVID-19 pandemic had in North Carolina.

September 22, 2022 3:08 p.m. EDT
NCHSAA: Participation data shows lingering effects of COVID-19; Football, lacrosse participation grew
Two days after the National Federation of State High School Associations released high school sports participation data for the first time in three years, the N.C. High School Athletic Association provided more insight into the numbers in North Carolina.

September 16, 2022 11:55 a.m. EDT
Nick Stevens discusses impact of new participation data & what's next
HighSchoolOT managing editor Nick Stevesn was on "The OG" with Joe Ovies and Joe Giglio to discuss new high school sports participation data, what it means for high school sports, and what could come next.

September 14, 2022 5:25 p.m. EDT
Data shows high school sports participation dropped significantly during pandemic
New data released by the NFHS on Wednesday shows North Carolina saw a 9.1% decline in high school sports participation since the pandemic started, including a 12.5% drop in girls participation.

September 14, 2022 5:19 p.m. EDT
NC high school sports participation down 9.1% since pandemic; Girls sports saw sharpest drop
High school sports participation in North Carolina has not recovered to pre-pandemic levels, according to data released by the National Federation of State High School Associations on Thursday.

September 14, 2022 5:22 p.m. EDT
NFHS to lead national discussion on shortage of officials in high school sports
According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, approximately 50,000 people have stopped officiating since the 2018-2019 school year -- the last school year unaffected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

April 11, 2022 3:04 p.m. EDT
Cumberland County reducing spectator capacity due to rising COVID-19 cases
The Cumberland County Board of Education met to discuss new COVID-19 safety protocols on Tuesday morning, some of which will impact high school sports.

January 4, 2022 10:49 a.m. EST
Why we are probably not witnessing a repeat of March 2020 for high school sports
Based on what scientists tell us, it sounds like we're headed for another wave of COVID-19 infections in the United States thanks to the winter season, holiday gatherings, and the omicron variant. While that's not good news, based on what we know today, it doesn't seem likely to cause a repeat of March 2020 when it comes to high school sports.

December 17, 2021 8:33 p.m. EST
Wallace-Rose Hill cleared to play in 2A football state championship game
Wallace-Rose Hill High School's football team has been cleared to play in Saturday's 2A football state championship game despite multiple positive COVID-19 tests earlier this week.

December 10, 2021 1:58 p.m. EST
Positive COVID-19 cases reported on Wallace-Rose Hill football team ahead of state championship
Multiple members of the Wallace-Rose Hill High School football team have tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of Saturday's 2A state championship game, according to the N.C. High School Athletic Association.

December 9, 2021 12:54 p.m. EST
Lejeune forfeits first round football game to Pender due to COVID-19
According to a tweet from Pender County Schools, Lejeune has forfeited its fist round football game to Pender High School due to COVID-19 protocols.

November 4, 2021 6:27 p.m. EDT
Shrine Bowl canceled for second straight year due to pandemic
For the second straight year, the Shrine Bow of the Carolinas has been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

September 16, 2021 10:46 p.m. EDT
Debate over pausing sports in Orange County stalled, but other safety measures put in place
High-risk sports will not be paused in Orange County schools after the board of education voted down a proposal to pause some sports due to COVID-19 concerns.

September 13, 2021 11:19 p.m. EDT
Sports will continue in Orange County, but masks will be required & fans will be limited
The Orange County Schools Board of Education will consider a recommendation from staff on Monday evening that would have major consequences for high school athletics in the district.

September 13, 2021 11:19 p.m. EDT
Orange County considers suspending football season, requiring vaccines
The Orange County Board of Education is meeting to vote on a recommendation that would suspend football season for at least two weeks and require athletes in high-risk sports to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

September 13, 2021 10:58 p.m. EDT
Data about COVID-19 in high school sports lacks important context
DHHS released data last week claiming 45% of clusters in North Carolina high schools involve athletics, but that data ignores some major context.

September 13, 2021 1:08 p.m. EDT
Orange County Schools will vote on shutting down football, requiring vaccinations for athletes
The Orange County Schools Board of Education will consider a recommendation from staff on Monday evening that would have major consequences for high school athletics in the district.

September 13, 2021 11:07 a.m. EDT
Wake County schools requiring players, coaches, staff to wear masks at outdoor sporting events
The Wake County Public School System will now require coaches, staff and players to wear masks outdoors.

September 2, 2021 11:13 p.m. EDT

Welcome to the home of HighSchoolOT's photos of North Carolina high school sports

Extra Effort

Our Take

@HighSchoolOT

HighSchoolOT: Williams football coach Patrick Stokes shines light on his program going into the 2023 season https://t.co/5abN34Dvmn
— Wed 4:29 p.m.

HighSchoolOT: Michael Twichell takes us through West Craven's 2023 roster https://t.co/r6dKH1rdSb
— Wed 4:19 p.m.

HighSchoolOT: Wheatmore's Philip Yarbrough previews the 2023 season for the Warriors https://t.co/4eBwEbjIjv
— Wed 2:43 p.m.

NickStevensHSOT: RT @HighSchoolOT: Two dozen former North Carolina high school baseball players heard their name called in this week's MLB Draft. Get to kn…
— Wed 1:27 p.m.

HighSchoolOT: Two dozen former North Carolina high school baseball players heard their name called in this week's MLB Draft. Get… https://t.co/vtIi32MSL1
— Wed 1:26 p.m.

JMBpreps: Now 24! https://t.co/GveQE4Nr9J
— Wed 1:15 p.m.

JMBpreps: RT @DaRifle13229: Western Harnett faced 6 of them in 2019 and went 18-8
— Wed 1:15 p.m.

HighSchoolOT: New Millbrook coach Laymarr Marshall shares updated thoughts following the offseason https://t.co/tFz1q3fh0J
— Wed 11:37 a.m.

HighSchoolOT: Apex football leader John Mozerka shares his excitement for the Cougars' 2023 team https://t.co/rLzGmXG4Bh
— Wed 10:47 a.m.

HighSchoolOT: @SoApps1979 @MHSTitans Thanks! Just added him
— Wed 10:39 a.m.

HighSchoolOT: Community School of Davidson football coach TJ Albert is confident ahead of 2023 season https://t.co/UOnV0hDmFv
— Wed 10:07 a.m.

HighSchoolOT: Brett Chappell previews an exciting & emotional year for Pisgah's football team https://t.co/I9rWvNr3j3
— Wed 10:02 a.m.

JoelBryantHSOT: RT @CoachTRay_: Red Springs High School has an opening for assistant football coach. We have an openings in EC, Alternative Teacher , Math…
— Wed 9:32 a.m.

JMBpreps: Make it 23 with @gowhirlies' Jake Bloss being added! https://t.co/t0gev5ksbx
— Wed 9:09 a.m.

HighSchoolOT: In all, we've counted 22 players with roots in NC high school baseball who were selected in this year's MLB Draft.… https://t.co/ZhMPae3zcp
— Wed 8:39 a.m.

JMBpreps: Oh, and 10 had made our "All-Senior" team in 2020 We did All-Senior teams based on career numbers in 2020 when sen… https://t.co/l5RxiUHyMW
— Wed 8:34 a.m.

JMBpreps: A few interesting notes on these 22 players: -two pairs of HS teammates -a pair of Oak Island natives (never play… https://t.co/Dteigo8VC7
— Wed 8:32 a.m.

JMBpreps: RT @HighSchoolOT: Tracking every MLB Draft pick with NC high school roots https://t.co/QVBDhoSbU6
— Wed 7:49 a.m.

HighSchoolOT: Tracking every MLB Draft pick with NC high school roots https://t.co/QVBDhoSbU6
— Wed 7:30 a.m.

JMBpreps: RT @dclaybest: Wear your own team’s home whites and road greys. #ASG shouldn’t look like a dang Saturday afternoon Babe Ruth All-Stars tour…
— Tue 10:07 p.m.

HighSchoolOT: Seaforth coach Terrance Gary looks forward to the Hawks' second year of varsity football https://t.co/6k90yEpRpe
— Tue 8:52 p.m.

JoelBryantHSOT: RT @nhs_pinetown: Northside-Pinetown coach Keith Boyd is excited about the Panthers' chances in 2023 :: https://t.co/8biscNGlSO ⁦@JoelBrya…
— Tue 8:36 p.m.

HighSchoolOT: RT @nhs_pinetown: Northside-Pinetown coach Keith Boyd is excited about the Panthers' chances in 2023 :: https://t.co/8biscNGlSO ⁦@JoelBrya…
— Tue 8:36 p.m.

JoelBryantHSOT: If you’ve been enjoying the preseason interviews with head football coaches, a lot of them drop on our 24/7 live ch… https://t.co/HF38uTMTib
— Tue 8:06 p.m.

JoelBryantHSOT: Welcome to the team, Tim! https://t.co/ipaYRjdx94
— Tue 8:05 p.m.

HighSchoolOT: Union Academy football coach Justin Frashier has 14 starters back in 2023 https://t.co/4kMR5uNYx2
— Tue 7:31 p.m.

HighSchoolOT: George Privott of Northampton County is excited about the Jaguars' opportunity in 2023 https://t.co/NSdgCZu2Rz
— Tue 6:56 p.m.

HighSchoolOT: Owen's Zack Gibson previews the Warhorses' 2023 football team https://t.co/IHwt5s7Pac
— Tue 5:10 p.m.

HighSchoolOT: North Buncombe's David Hines takes us through the Black Hawks' 2023 roster https://t.co/UAK0YY9oCD
— Tue 4:15 p.m.

HighSchoolOT: Chris Tolbert prepares us for his second year as Green Hope head football coach https://t.co/aMG7gxsbMu
— Tue 3:40 p.m.

HighSchoolOT: Monte Simmons breaks down West Caldwell's 2023 football team https://t.co/bcydkZahYS
— Tue 2:49 p.m.

HighSchoolOT: Girls lacrosse changes from halves to 12-minute quarters in high school https://t.co/at41qZsMEY
— Tue 2:41 p.m.

JMBpreps: RT @HighSchoolOT: Breaking News: NFHS announces rules change for girls lacrosse; Games will move from halves to 12-minute quarters
— Tue 2:38 p.m.

KyleMortonHSOT: The NFHS cleared the way for HS baseball teams to transmit pitch calls from dugout to catcher, but teams may be slo… https://t.co/aucM5wtXLD
— Tue 11:58 a.m.

KyleMortonHSOT: RT @HighSchoolOT: Just In: These 10 NC football players made On3's updated national top 300 for 2024 https://t.co/Gyd1ccCJrE
— Tue 11:13 a.m.

NickStevensHSOT: RT @Husky_Sports: We are excited to introduce our new Men's Varsity Basketball Coach! Welcome Coach Gibson Pyper! @NickStevensHSOT @HighS…
— Tue 10:55 a.m.

NickStevensHSOT: That one? 😂 cc: @JMBpreps https://t.co/ONKGlHG95Q
— Tue 10:45 a.m.

NickStevensHSOT: RT @HighSchoolOT: Breaking News: NFHS releases rules changes for track & field, cross country; New examples of false starts included in the…
— Tue 9:36 a.m.

KyleMortonHSOT: RT @tuckerholland4: Hog nation!! I’m home🐗🐗🐗
— Mon 9:02 p.m.

JoelBryantHSOT: If you have not seen your favorite #NChsFB team’s coach come on for a preseason interview, please help me get them on!
— Mon 6:39 p.m.

Football Recruiting

Football

Football

High School Sports

Football Recruiting

Basketball

Girls Soccer

Girls Soccer

Girls Soccer

Baseball

Baseball

Baseball

Softball

Softball

Softball

High School Sports

High School Sports

High School Sports

Football Recruiting

Girls Soccer

Football

Football Recruiting

Girls Soccer

Football

Football Recruiting

Football Recruiting

Football Recruiting

COVID-19 Coverage

Stay Connected

Coronavirus Coverage

Extra Effort

Our Take