Besides The Mississippi High School Activities Association released a statement on Thursday announcing that the suspension of spring sporting events has been extended and the organization will continue to keep an eye on the Coronavirus pandemic.

In early March the MHSAA suspended spring sports due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

Originally scheduled to go through March 26, the suspension was extended to April 17 after Governor Tate Reeves issued an executive order closing all schools through the same date.

That meant that spring sports teams who were in the midst of their seasons had to put everything on pause with no guarantee of coming back.

Athletes have been working at home while coaches and athletic directors waited to see when games could start up again.

The chance to get back on the field has now been delayed even further.

Wednesday afternoon, Reeves announced a statewide shelter-in-place order that goes into effect April 3 at 5 p.m. and lasts until April 20 at 8 a.m.

Reeves said he would consider whether or not to extend statewide school closures during the next two weeks, which would also affect spring athletics.

The MHSAA’s policy mirrors that of Reeves, so no practices or games will be held until April 20 at the earliest.

According to a statement from MHSAA executive director Don Hinton, “The MHSAA office and MHSAA executive committee made up of school administrators continue to keep a close eye on this crisis and its impact on our member schools.”

“We are talking regularly with our MHSAA Sports Medicine Advisory Committee, which includes doctors and medical professionals.”

“The suspension of athletics and activities will be in place as long as schools are closed per MHSAA rules.”