Valley high school regular basketball season suspended

In an unprecedented move, the regular high school basketball season in the Shenandoah Valley has been suspended because too many games have been missed due to persistent winter weather. As a result, teams will jump to tournaments that are to begin next week.

The Waynesboro News Virginian reported:

After an additional round of snow forced Southern Valley and Shenandoah District officials to call off another night of basketball, athletic directors were put in uncharted territory. With some teams as many as four games behind and the VHSL district deadline looming, area schools announced Tuesday that the remainder of the regular season was canceled.

“It’s a disappointment,” said Fort Defiance Athletic Director Jack Tucker. “It’s been one of those winters that snow is the only thing that is predictable.”

During a normal year, the regular season champion of both the Shenandoah and SVD earns an automatic No. 1 bid to the region tournament. Both districts decided to scrap the regular season championship and instead will use the tournament to dish out all of their region seeds.

“There’s not a perfect solution to these unforeseen circumstances,” said Luray High School Athletic Director Don Ehlers.

The winter of 2009-10 will not be forgotten anytime soon.