The timeframe of a somewhat normal athletic school year generally runs from the first of August to the latter half of May, so you are talking a good nine-and-a-half month grind for us sportswriters, along with all the athletes, coaches and administrators who participate.
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Commentary: Looks like we made it: McDowell sports teams successfully navigate the troubled COVID seas
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McDowell Titan baseball fans enjoy the Titans’ deep State 4A Playoff run during the final week of the season. A sports year that began with face masks, empty stadiums and COVID-19 quarantines eventually turned into a memorable journey for McDowell athletes, coaches and supporters.
Masked coaches and players react to a McDowell touchdown in the season-opening football game Feb. 27 at Hickory High School. The stadium seemed nearly empty due to crowd limits in the early season, but the state relaxed its rules later in the year and allowed more fans to attend.
Fans - most of whom respected the mask mandate - watch a volleyball match at McDowell High early last season. Volleyball was the first sport to get underway in the NCHSAA's COVID-shortened athletic calendar.
McDowell senior Mason McPeters shoots during the Titans' season-opening win over Hickory Jan. 5. Players and coaches were required to wear masks, and practice social distancing on the bench. The group in the background consisted of Hickory jayvee players, who were allowed to stay and watch the game. The rest of the gymnasium was virtually empty. The Titans' season came to an end shortly after a Feb. 6 win over Freedom when several players tested positive for COVID-19.
McDowell shortstop Jessica Cannon throws to first during a game last season. Cannon made history when she became almost certainly the only MHS athlete to win conference Player of the Year honors in more than one sport (softball, volleyball) in the same year.
A sports year that began with doubt and trepidation had its share of triumphant moments later. Here, McDowell head football coach Darrell Brewer smiles as he leaves the field after the Titans wrecked rival Freedom 30-6 in the season finale Apr. 9 in Morganton.
Fans and players alike, no longer masked and forced to practice social distancing, enjoyed McDowell's baseball conference championship and State 4A Playoff run. Here, senior Ethan Hamm bats as the sun sets on the Blue Ridge Mountains during a season-ending 4-3 loss to Reagan in the third round of the playoffs Saturday, June 19.
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