Last week, students at Washington, Northside and Southside High Schools focused primarily on their studies as they tried to successfully tackle final exam week.  As a result, basketball and wrestling practice were canceled with the district deciding that education should take priority over high school athletics.

A child’s performance in the classroom is more important than their performance on the hardwood. There are few people who would argue against that statement. However, Washington’s junior varsity, girl’s and men’s basketball teams still had to take the court Friday night against Beddingfield, just a day after their last exam.

Head Coach Allison Jones’ girls played exhausted, unmotivated and uncomfortable basketball through four quarters. Their embarrassing 65-19 loss to the Bruins was their poorest offensive output on the season by far, 10 points lower than the 29 points they scored against undefeated Riverside.

The Washington junior varsity and men’s teams also suffered defeats.

“We weren’t prepared physically, we weren’t prepared mentally and we’re a team where we have to work and get better every day,” said Jones. “Studying for exams is the most important thing, that’s a priority for us. I’m proud of the girls in that respect, but we just weren’t prepared to play.”

Entering a matchup physically underprepared against a tough opponent like Beddingfield can not only produce a loss, but injuries as well. Teams that take time off before a game are commonly prone to fatigue. Ample practice time is needed to perform at not only an adequate, but a healthy level in basketball and any sport.

Scheduling a game a day after exams is also unfair to the program and players with final grades still on the students’ minds.

The North Carolina High School Athletic Association would be wise to reevaluate their scheduling in accordance with Beaufort County and other school system’s final exam weeks.