TSSAA still plans to have Tennessee high school basketball state tournaments, Spring Fling but isn't sure when

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Executive director Bernard Childress and the TSSAA want to save the high school basketball state tournaments and Spring Fling, or at least try.

The high school athletic association's Board of Control on Tuesday unanimously approved Childress' recommendation that it keep the basketball state tournaments postponed over coronavirus concerns and hold it at a later date if conditions improve.

It also approved a measure to hold Spring Fling, the Olympic-style festival featuring all five sanctioned spring sports, even if it means moving it from May 19-22 to early June.

"The athletes need to know we are trying to save their season," Childress said.

Childress said the basketball state tournament could be postponed until May if the CDC's recommendation that no crowds over 10 or more remains in place for eight weeks. If that is changed and the tournament can be held earlier, the TSSAA would hold it then.

Childress said the tournaments could be held in one week with the girls semifinals and finals on a Monday and Tuesday and the boys tournament Wednesday-Saturday.

No player is allowed to be added to the state tournament roster that has already been submitted.

"Coaches that I've talked to have said, 'Just give us a chance to finish, even if it's in May,"' TSSAA Board of Control member Grant Swallows said. "Unprecedented times call for unprecedented measures.

"We don't know what it's going to look like two weeks from now, or two days from now. Given this option is great."

On Monday, Gov. Bill Lee urged schools to close by Friday and remain closed until March 31. Lee and Tennessee Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn said previously the state doesn't have the power to force closure of schools and instead the decision will be left up to local authorities.

The TSSAA confirmed with the governor's office that Lee's request includes athletics. The association urged its members to follow that request, which includes games, scrimmages, practices and organized workouts or conditioning.

However, the TSSAA doesn't have the authority to cancel regular season or postseason games leading up to state tournaments. 

Childress said MTSU is open to holding the basketball tournament at a later date. The TSSAA also looked at regional sites.

The TSSAA suspended its girls and boys basketball state tournaments after the completion of the girls quarterfinals on Thursday. The boys tournament was set to begin on Wednesday.

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Reach Tom Kreager at 615-259-8089 or tkreager@tennessean.com and on Twitter @Kreager.