Sports schedules in flux during aftermath of Helene

The aftermath of Hurricane Helene has left the sports schedules of Laurens County Schools in flux at the very least.

Most athletic events have been either canceled or postponed for this week.

Laurens District High School shut down athletics, including practices, through Saturday. Rescheduling for games has not been announced.

The change moves the Raiders’ homecoming game, which was originally scheduled for this past week against Lexington, for the second time.

LDHS was to host Fountain Inn as the Region 2-4A schedule opened for both teams this Friday night, but that game will be rescheduled.

“Many of our people are still without power, water, gas, etc.,” said LDHS Athletic Director Tommy Spires. “So, I’m not looking at rushing back to add to the stress levels of parents and staff.”

Clinton Athletic Director Louie Alexander also announced his school had either postponed or canceled all weekday events this week with the probable exception of varsity football Friday night at Liberty.

Alexander said Tuesday morning that no final decision has been made on Friday night’s varsity game at Liberty. The status of a cross country meet Saturday at Riverside is also yet to be determined.

The Red Devils (3-2) are to play their first ever Region 1-2A schedule at Liberty (3-2) against another set of Red Devils. Clinton’s scheduled game this past Friday against Union County was canceled and will not be made up.

Laurens Academy (4-2) officials said they do not expect to play their conference game as scheduled Friday night at Wardlaw Academy (4-1) in Johnston due to a downed light standard at Wardlaw’s stadium.

Wardlaw defeated LA 32-20 in a nonconference contest on Aug. 30.

LA’s volleyball schedule for this week has been canceled. Any rescheduling has yet to be announced.

Thornwell has also canceled all athletic events scheduled for this week.

Likewise, Greenville County Schools has closed schools for the rest of this week and will assess next week’s schedule over the weekend and make an announcement on Monday.

“A lot of us (athletic directors) are waiting to see if the SCHSL steps up and adds a week to the end of the fall season,” Spires said.

Reid conquers field again

Clinton runner William Reid won his second meet championship in a row on Saturday, Sept. 21, taking medalist honors at the Lakelands Invitational in Greenwood.

Reid won with a time of 16 minutes, 15 seconds.

The Red Devils finished seventh in the team standings and first among Class 2A teams, one point ahead of Landrum (218-219). J.L. Mann won the meet with 61 points. The top six teams were all from Class 5A or 4A.

Prep Notes: The Laurens County Touchdown Club has canceled its planned meeting for this Thursday. The TD club plans to resume its regular schedule of lunch meetings at The Ridge in Laurens on Thursday, Oct. 17. . . .The Clinton volleyball team downed Chester 3-0 (25-8, 25-21, 25-16) on Sept. 25. Sophia Sullivan led the Red Devils (9-2 overall, 3-0 Region 3-2A) with 10 kills, and Caysen Coats added 8.