Columbia Academy basketball finally set for district competition

It’s been a strange basketball season in District 10-A.

Things are about to return to normal, though. Well, sort of.

A little less than three months — 25 games — into the 2017-18 campaign, the Columbia Academy boys basketball team finally is set to play its district opener, Tuesday’s 6 p.m. District 10-A quarterfinal at Culleoka.

“It’s been interesting,” longtime Columbia Academy coach Marty DeJarnette said.

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With Columbia Academy deciding to remain in the TSSAA’s predominantly public school Division I for the current classification cycle (2017-21), several of the school’s closest rivals, including district basketball foes Culleoka, Hampshire, Mt. Pleasant, Richland and Santa Fe, have refused to schedule the small Maury County private school during the regular season.

According to TSSAA rules, teams aren't required to play other teams from their district in the regular season. 

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The seeding criteria for each district is decided on by its member schools, and, as a result, Columbia Academy has been seeded last in the upcoming 10-A tournament. The fact that the four-time defending district champion Bulldogs (19-6) boast the league’s best overall record is irrelevant.

“Who’s to say if it’s fair or not?” Columbia Academy athletic director Pernell Knox said. “They think it’s fair. We think it’s not. Flip a coin, I guess.”

Said Richland athletic director Chad Hall, “Do we think it’s equitable? In year’s past, we haven’t felt like it was very equitable.”

It’s not just in basketball, either.

The aforementioned schools also have refused to schedule regular-season games against Columbia Academy in volleyball and girls basketball, and they’re expected to do the same in softball and baseball this spring.

“In May, (Maury County Public Schools) told us they wouldn’t be playing us,” Columbia Academy President Jason Thomas said. “And it applies to everything except football.”

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In football, the TSSAA requires each Division I school to play all of its region opponents. The top four seeds from each region advance to the postseason.

Richland, which is located in Giles County, arrived at a decision similar to the Maury County schools prior to the school year.

“Maury County started this initiative, and then they kind of pumped the breaks. But it had already started rolling with our board members and director (Phillip J. Wright),” Hall said. “When they pumped the breaks, we decided to stay with it. Our director came back and gave us the opportunity to make that decision.”

Maury County Public Schools Superintendent Chris Marczak and athletic director Chris Poynter did not return phone calls seeking comment.

“It’s been difficult for us,” DeJarnette said. “The timing of it and when they announce it made it difficult for us to schedule, and you lose your rivalries. It’s been hard emotionally more than anything, I think, trying to get up for certain games. People are asking, ‘Who are you playing?’ and ‘Who’s that?’ but I think our guys have handled it well.

“The key is to be prepared for this time of year, and I think our schedule did that. We’re just going to see what happens.”

Reach Michael Murphy at mfmurphy@tennessean.com or 615-259-8026 and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports.