High school baseball memories lacking complete final chapter
Local baseball head coaches react to the cancellation of the 2020 TSSAA high school season.
Matt Buckner, skipper of the defending Class AAA state champion Farragut Admirals: “It’s kind of an overwhelming thing. It’s an unprecedented situation where there’s nothing in our history to say anyone’s ever been through this.
“I’m devastated for (the players). They’ve committed a whole lot to do this.
“Not only them, all the spring athletes everywhere. It’s a lot to take.
“I feel for the seniors. ... I think we all go back and look at our high school experiences and remember how high school ended. You have good memories.
“But for these kids, it’s been taken from them.”
John Rice of Bearden: “We have nine guys in our senior class.
“It’s brutal, but it’s no tougher on my guys. Every kid in the county, every kid in the nation is on the same page there.
“I’ve been in communication with them a lot. They’re all beat up about it.
“But we have a really great relationship. ... We had a great chemistry in our locker room from our players.
“(The seniors) had taken it upon themselves to lead. We’re proud of the way they’ve handled themselves.”
