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On the heels of the executive order from North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper to close schools for the remainder of the academic year, the North Carolina High School Athletic Association made a similar announcement Friday.

NCHSAA Commissioner Que Tucker announced the cancellation of all remaining winter championships and spring sports, including the unplayed basketball state championships.

“Today’s decision is difficult for the NCHSAA Board of Directors and Staff. We empathize with the thousands of student-athletes, especially graduating seniors, coaching staff, officials and family members affected by this decision,” said NCHSAA Commissioner Que Tucker. “However, this decision reflects a commitment to keeping our student-athletes, officials and member schools’ staffs and their communities safe, while following the guidelines provided by the Governor and his team, along with the Department of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education.”

Tucker also said the NCHSAA “had maintained hope for a conclusion to our state basketball championships and a modified spring sports season to help return a sense of normalcy to our communities. Now, as we continue to deal with this difficult time, we must do so by applying the lessons that education-based athletics teaches us: cooperation, patience, sacrifice, responsibility, perseverance and resilience.”

The NCHSAA Board of Directors, in its meeting next week, will discuss finalizing the state basketball playoffs and policies for summer activities, as well as address academic eligibility concerns for the fall 2020 seasons.